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Forgive

Highway54 said:
You know J, many have read that but do not pick up on it being a requirement for forgiveness. Interesting huh. Really gives us a reason to be forgiving.
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Can you really forgive someone because you have to?

Many threads have been posted on this forum regarding forgiveness:
why forgive
how to forgive
what if a person cannot forgive
what is forgiveness
etc.

There's so much to say and no matter how many times it's repeated, it's always a good conversation.
I'll just say that Jesus was a great psychologist.
:)
 
wondering said:
Can you really forgive someone because you have to?

Many threads have been posted on this forum regarding forgiveness:
why forgive
how to forgive
what if a person cannot forgive
what is forgiveness
etc.

There's so much to say and no matter how many times it's repeated, it's always a good conversation.
I'll just say that Jesus was a great psychologist.
:)
Click to expand...
Very good question maam, I struggle with that myself. I have been a victim of a severe sin in the congregation. I have forgiven the brothers involved, I truly believe this, however I intend to have little association with these individuals unless they repent of course, and I cannot envision that happening. I will be kind and loving to them, help them in any I can, but will not form a close associated friendship with them. Make any sense? We are cautioned in the Bible about bad associations within the congregation, so I feel justified in feeling that way.

I have begged Jehovah to forgive them as well.
 
Highway54 said:
Very good question maam, I struggle with that myself. I have been a victim of a severe sin in the congregation.
Click to expand...

I think being hurt by a fellow Christian, and especially one that is of the same congregation, and especially one that considers himself to be a son of Jehovah, is very hurtful because we expect so much more from each other.
But we always have to remember that we're all human and no matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect.
A relative of mine has abandoned church altogether because of something like what happened to you. I think it's right that you kept going.

Highway54 said:
I have forgiven the brothers involved, I truly believe this,
Click to expand...

Forgiveness is a matter of the will.
We WILL to forgive someone. This is a function of the soul.
In time it can also become a matter of the spirit.
God will need to help get us this far.
This happens when we can look at the person and feel nothing.
The hurt has disappeared completely. Or at least 98% of it ! I don't know that it ever totally goes away. Maybe yes.

Highway54 said:
however I intend to have little association with these individuals unless they repent of course,
Click to expand...

You don't mean repent...
you mean unless they ask forgiveness of you.
Yes. Chances are if they could hurt you so much, they're not the type that will ask forgiveness.
This is pride.
Pride is the downfall of many and one of the basic reasons we sin.
Pride and egotism.


Highway54 said:
and I cannot envision that happening. I will be kind and loving to them, help them in any I can, but will not form a close associated friendship with them. Make any sense? We are cautioned in the Bible about bad associations within the congregation, so I feel justified in feeling that way.
Click to expand...

I agree totally with you.
Jesus said to be gentle but wise.
They've done badly one time...that is sufficient.
Keep away from those that hurt you, unless it's a wife or children - then something different must be done.
Friends, however, should offer comfort, not pain.

Highway54 said:
I have begged Jehovah to forgive them as well.
Click to expand...
I don't believe we can ask forgiveness for another's sins.
You've done your part...
now it's up to them.
 
wondering said:
I think being hurt by a fellow Christian, and especially one that is of the same congregation, and especially one that considers himself to be a son of Jehovah, is very hurtful because we expect so much more from each other.
But we always have to remember that we're all human and no matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect.
A relative of mine has abandoned church altogether because of something like what happened to you. I think it's right that you kept going.



Forgiveness is a matter of the will.
We WILL to forgive someone. This is a function of the soul.
In time it can also become a matter of the spirit.
God will need to help get us this far.
This happens when we can look at the person and feel nothing.
The hurt has disappeared completely. Or at least 98% of it ! I don't know that it ever totally goes away. Maybe yes.



You don't mean repent...
you mean unless they ask forgiveness of you.
Yes. Chances are if they could hurt you so much, they're not the type that will ask forgiveness.
This is pride.
Pride is the downfall of many and one of the basic reasons we sin.
Pride and egotism.




I agree totally with you.
Jesus said to be gentle but wise.
They've done badly one time...that is sufficient.
Keep away from those that hurt you, unless it's a wife or children - then something different must be done.
Friends, however, should offer comfort, not pain.


I don't believe we can ask forgiveness for another's sins.
You've done your part...
now it's up to them.
Click to expand...
wondering said:
You don't mean repent...
you mean unless they ask forgiveness of you.
Yes. Chances are if they could hurt you so much, they're not the type that will ask forgiveness.
This is pride.
Pride is the downfall of many and one of the basic reasons we sin.
Pride and egotism.
Click to expand...
Although I think that would be nice, and certainly convince me they had repented, I would rather see it by action, mostly I do not want to see them do it to anyone else. The Society has addressed it to some degree. We had 2 congregations meeting in our hall, yet most people went to the West congregation, many had exodused the East and went to other congregations, I was warned to leave, but felt they really needed the help. When I realized I could no longer help, I left. Shortly thereafter the Society moved some elders and ministerial servants from the West to the east, and sent at least one couple from the Branch to assist. I am a personal friend of one of those elders, and he said things are much better now.

I fully agree, even the greatest among us is imperfect, all of us are a work in progress.
 
Highway54 said:
Although I think that would be nice, and certainly convince me they had repented, I would rather see it by action, mostly I do not want to see them do it to anyone else. The Society has addressed it to some degree. We had 2 congregations meeting in our hall, yet most people went to the West congregation, many had exodused the East and went to other congregations, I was warned to leave, but felt they really needed the help. When I realized I could no longer help, I left. Shortly thereafter the Society moved some elders and ministerial servants from the West to the east, and sent at least one couple from the Branch to assist. I am a personal friend of one of those elders, and he said things are much better now.

I fully agree, even the greatest among us is imperfect, all of us are a work in progress.
Click to expand...
Of course I don't fully understand the procedure you state.
What is the East and West congregation?
 
wondering said:
Of course I don't fully understand the procedure you state.
What is the East and West congregation?
Click to expand...
Understandable maam, thanks for asking. Since education is very much a part of God's people, like secular schools we try to keep class size manageable. We try to limit congregations to no more than 150, so if a congregation gets too far above that we will usually form 2 Congregations. Each congregation will continue to meet in the same building, but at different times. We have two congregations meeting in our hall, which we have designated by map, those West of main street is the West congregation, those East are assigned to the congregation called East. We both meet there on different days for the midweek meeting, but at different times on Sunday. I am in the West, although I live in the East territory, we meet at 1pm, while the West uses the hall at 10am. We alternate annually, so all of next year we will meet at 10. I actually prefer the morning meetings, and of course you can attend either or both if you desire.
 
God does not forgive those who do not repent.
Repentance is built into Judaism worship.
Every sinner who wanted forgiveness had to lay his hand on the head of his sacrifice as it was killed. He could not come to the alter without being sorry for his sins.

We are called to imitate Jesus, who as God forgive the repentant.
Every verse that stresses our need to forgive assumes that we are not forgiving a sorrowful person.
Try:- https://winteryknight.com/2023/07/0...should-forgive-someone-who-does-not-repent-6/
 
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