Forgiveness of others is at the heart of the Gospel, but not just forgiving those who run roughshod over us, but asking forgiveness when we (inadvertently) harm others. We know that God forgives those who sincerely repent of their transgressions, but does God ever need to ask our forgiveness for inadvertently harming us, which results from actions taken by God?
We are created in God’s image. If I am a reflection of Him, and I know He loves me, then it follows I should love Him. Also, because God loves all humanity unconditionally, it follows that I should love my neighbors, all of them. (Aside: how wonderful that the two Great Commandments can be derived from this singular verse in Genesis.)
So: since it would appear that God would not ask us to do anything He wouldn’t do, and since asking for forgiveness and forgiving others is a characteristic of loving others, it would seem God will in some fashion ask our forgiveness (make amends) when His actions inadvertently harming us us.
Are there examples in scripture? Zachariah 9:12—Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. Job, Epilogue.
Others?
Blessings.
We are created in God’s image. If I am a reflection of Him, and I know He loves me, then it follows I should love Him. Also, because God loves all humanity unconditionally, it follows that I should love my neighbors, all of them. (Aside: how wonderful that the two Great Commandments can be derived from this singular verse in Genesis.)
So: since it would appear that God would not ask us to do anything He wouldn’t do, and since asking for forgiveness and forgiving others is a characteristic of loving others, it would seem God will in some fashion ask our forgiveness (make amends) when His actions inadvertently harming us us.
Are there examples in scripture? Zachariah 9:12—Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. Job, Epilogue.
Others?
Blessings.