The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - Should we forgive those who do not repent?

BJClark · #14 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 10:46 PM

Yes, we should forgive, even IF they are unrepentant...

I would refer to Matthew 6:14-15

"And if ye forgive men their trespasses, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you; BUT IF ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive Your trespasses."

I think there is a misconception people have concerning forgiveness and reconcilation, thinking they are the same thing, but they aren't...they are two very different things.

I can forgive someone who has hurt me, and yet set boundaries on the type of relationship I have with them if they refuse to repent.

Reconciliation should ONLY happen when both parties agree (confess) to the wrongs committed--and turn away from those behaviors.

Even looking at God's forgiveness, He forgives, yet, there isn't reconcilitation UNTIL the person confesses (agrees with God about His sin), and repents. Jesus said "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"

So God forgave, even though they didn't understand what they did wrong, but even then the reconciliation didn't happen, UNTIL they/we confessed and repented.