Since the heart is only known by God, how can we be SURE?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Goodnight! Sweet dreams!

Thanks, same to you. I saw you posted again and I'm like - STOP TAKING TO ME I WANT TO GO TO BED!!!!



Night!

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Thanks, same to you. I saw you posted again and I'm like - STOP TAKING TO ME I WANT TO GO TO BED!!!!



Night!

Go to bed. You can read my posts in the morning!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Go to bed. You can read my posts in the morning!

Stop talking to me.... Oh, right... I didnt' think of that.



Night, again!

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Stop talking to me.... Oh, right... I didnt' think of that.



Night, again!

If I say goodnight again, will you still be here to read it? LOL!

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I've seen it before.

I've seen my kids struggle with forgiving their dad and I know it's a hindrance to them and sometimes it's so hard to know what to do.

I don't want them to give up on him, but he broke their trust and it will take a lot for him to rebuild that trust with them.

This is where it gets hard because he's not even claiming to live for God now, so the fruit he is bearing is pretty bare. But, does that mean we aren't suppose to forgive this type person too? As a Christian, shouldn't we even though they aren't?

Studying this has just brought more questions in my mind than answers. I really appreciate your post.

Renda,

Forgiveness can be difficult for anyone especially children in divorces… regardless of age.

I always stressed with my girls that they were responsible for the 4th commandment (Honour your mother and your father) as a Christian… and it doesn’t matter whether their father was doing as he should or not or if he was a Christian…they should always respect his position as their father. Has it been difficult at times? … absolutely.

Someone else’s behavior or lack of commitment doesn’t excuse us as Christians from doing what we know is right. My mom used to quote this scripture to me… and funny thing is.. I quote this to mine.

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
In dealing with issues of forgiveness in my life… I have found that you cannot pray for someone and carry any feelings of unforgiveness against them. It is always a signal to me that I need to pray when I am hanging on to feelings… whether it is anger, spite and vindictiveness… praying always puts the right perspective on things… puts love where there was other feelings not like Christ.

Trust I think is one of the bigger issues that we have to deal with as humans when someone has done wrong. It is one thing to forgive… but another to trust. I don’t think we're able to forget as Christ... so unable to trust completely in anyone after they have been guilty of something that has hurt us deeply. Trust is built in time when the person that inflicted the hurt makes restoration by actions that begin to cover the wrong that they did. We have to trust God to lead that person to a place of restoration.

We may not ever be able to trust man… but always trust God who will protect his children for obeying his Word… which commands us to forgive.

[Felicity]

Great post Lisa!

[rgcraig]

Thanks Lisa - - I appreciate your post!

There's been some really good discussion here.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by Rico

Hold on a minute now. Are we required to forgive if the other person does not ask for forgiveness? If we are then God expects something from us He doesn't even expect of Himself.

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, but only after they ask for it.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

We cannot be forgiven by God unless we have forgiven others. There is no disclaimer like I typed above that keeps us from forgiving others just because they don't ask.

And God expects a lot out of us that He doesn't expect from Himself. We cannot compare ourselves to God.

Exactly... I do believe we are to forgive even if they haven't asked for forgiveness or even manifested repentence at all.


Sorry Renda... this is a good thread and I am just now reading through it.. I'm a day late I guess.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Matthew 18:21-22 doesn't seem to imply that the offender asked forgiveness, so on that point I agree.

I do think what Rico brought up is interesting though.

If God doesn't forgive if someone doesn't ask how can we be better than God?

He loved so much that he gave his life to cover the sins that we commit. We have to ask forgiveness... but the price has already been paid for that forgiveness....

I can't out do God... he gave his life... ultimate love and forgiveness.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Rico,

I disagree. God extended the provision of forgiveness before we asked. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He did not wait until we asked. It did not change our lives until we did, though.

Exactly... I better read the rest before I comment anymore huh? lol