Are Christians to forgive everyone or only those who repent?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
 

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

My thoughts have been in this very place S.G. So, what to do when they refuse to even take credit for their wrongdoings? Even "The Church" would not hear it...the pastor (my old pastor) said, "you got one minute" as he quickly walked away from me and I cannot walk fast or I'd be on my face...he knows that so now there is hurt as well as anger I am dealing with. Even Christians can be blind to truth. Sad for sure. I have to put it on the back burner to simmer while God works in my own heart because I do not know where else to go or do...so I do ...nothing. Prayers yes, have gotten that far yet, it still pricks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Soverign Grace

Truth

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2017
1,737
1,797
113
70
AZ, Quartzsite
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

Matthew 6:15 - refers to people in general
Luke 17:3 refers to people of the Faith, with understanding! If they do not repent, WE Still forgive!! But the ball is in their Court, and if the offence is serious enough, then we put them out of fellowship. Forgiveness and Love do not Stop.
 

Truth

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2017
1,737
1,797
113
70
AZ, Quartzsite
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
My thoughts have been in this very place S.G. So, what to do when they refuse to even take credit for their wrongdoings? Even "The Church" would not hear it...the pastor (my old pastor) said, "you got one minute" as he quickly walked away from me and I cannot walk fast or I'd be on my face...he knows that so now there is hurt as well as anger I am dealing with. Even Christians can be blind to truth. Sad for sure. I have to put it on the back burner to simmer while God works in my own heart because I do not know where else to go or do...so I do ...nothing. Prayers yes, have gotten that far yet, it still pricks.

There is little or no tolerance for taking a stand against wrongdoings, in any assembly these days, I would encourage you to search out a place to fellowship, other than where this took place?
Remember our Master is Going to Rule with a Rod Of Iron!!!
So Kiss the Son, least His Anger is Kindled a Little. This Pastor might take Heed to defending his flock!
 

Willie T

Heaven Sent
Staff member
Sep 14, 2017
5,869
7,426
113
St. Petersburg Florida
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I think I have said it before, just as we will find the "God" we look for and expect to see, so will we find verses that say what we want them to say.
 

Prayer Warrior

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2018
5,789
5,776
113
U.S.A.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

Jesus taught us to pray that God will forgive our sins against Him as we forgive the sins others commit against us.

Matthew 6:9-13
-
“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Philip James

Jane_Doe22

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2018
5,241
3,442
113
116
Mid-west USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
Christ is the Judge, not us. We try to conduct ourselves in a disciple-like manner, teaching others to do the same. But Christ is the ultimate Judge of hearts, not us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Soverign Grace

Hidden In Him

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2018
10,600
10,883
113
59
Lafayette, LA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

Actually, SG, there is no command to forgive those who are not asking for it. We are commanded to forgive those who ask us to forgive them, yes, but God does not forgive those who do not ask for it, and neither are Christians commanded to. Now, that is NOT to say we hold on to any sort of grudge against anyone, ever. We are commanded to pray for those who curse us, persecute us, use us, insult us, and we are commanded to bless them, as Jesus taught. But when it comes to the act of forgiveness, it is actually an exchange between two people - a reconciling between two people - and that means that both parties have to be involved. If the other person does not want and is not asking for forgiveness, it essentially makes forgiveness impossible, because it is not a one-way street. Forgiveness is an act that requires a conscious and welcome exchange between two people who desire to reconcile with each other.

Hope that helped.
 

Hidden In Him

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2018
10,600
10,883
113
59
Lafayette, LA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Eeeww...I don't think that helped...

LoL. Well it should have helped : ) I'm guessing you would tell me why it didn't, only you are driving right now.

That's good, because I don't think I could ever "forgive" the sin of texting and driving.

Get it? "Forgive" the...

texting....

and driving... :rolleyes:


Did I ever tell you I sometimes eat too much pizza?

hqdefault.jpg
 

stunnedbygrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2018
12,397
12,048
113
USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Okay, before I get to work here, if I was to forgive only those who asked for forgiveness, there would be no forgiveness at all, because no one EVER asks me to forgive them. And now, I'm pretty convinced that some counsel I was given the other day is no counsel at all...
 

Waiting on him

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2018
11,674
6,096
113
56
North America
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The pastor in our bible study remarked that we're called to forgive any offense, yet the following two verses seem to contradict one another and I wondered how others converged the two verses. The one verse does call us to forgive all offenses, yet the verse in Luke calls us to rebuke and seems to make forgiveness conditional upon whether someone repents or not.

Matthew 6:15

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 17:3

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
The best instruction you’ll receive is in post #7.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Soverign Grace

Hidden In Him

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2018
10,600
10,883
113
59
Lafayette, LA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
no one EVER asks me to forgive them.

That's a little depressing...

Well then let's start from the begining: Do you believe that God forgives everyone of their sins and transgressions, or only those who ask Him to, and wish to reconcile themselves to Him?
 

Hidden In Him

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2018
10,600
10,883
113
59
Lafayette, LA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
because no one EVER asks me to forgive them.

Keep in mind that we are commanded to walk in a Spirit of love, joy and peace at ALL times, which is why I said a Christian is never to hold on to any grudges or resentments. Whether no one ever asks you to forgive them or not - apparently wishing to stay at odds with you - that's their problem. As the scripture says, "As much as it be with you, be at peace with all men." In other words, no man affects your Spirit. If anyone is going to be affecting anyone else, it will be the other way around, and you will overcome their spirit of resentment with a Spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
 

stunnedbygrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2018
12,397
12,048
113
USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
That's a little depressing...

Well then let's start from the begining: Do you believe that God forgives everyone of their sins and transgressions, or only those who ask Him to, and wish to reconcile themselves to Him?

Forgive them, they don't know what they are doing. What does it MEAN??
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stan B

stunnedbygrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2018
12,397
12,048
113
USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I am supposed to forgive people who actually HATE me and treat me awfully. Mind you, I don't say I can, I'm not going to lie. Its highly doubtful that person is going to ask me to forgive them.