Jesus asking the Father to forgive them wouldn't be possible if He himself was holding resentment in His heart. Steven, when he was stoned asked Jesus not to hold it against his executioners. Unless he also forgave them, he wouldn't be able to do this because he would still be bitter in his own heart.
Thank you for your thoughts but I'm just not able to agree with your position.
You don't have to agree.
I'll ask one question.
In your Church where Christians are told they Must forgive no matter what.
A grieving Christian arrives. They have been hurt realy hurt by someone who cannot repent.
They have big issues with how they were hurt.
( imagine a hit and run, a loved one killed or crippled and the driver never found!)
How would you counsel this person?
Would you tell them to forgive, when they cannot?
or would you talk about the issues and encourage this person to hand the issue over to God.
To ask him to deal with the sence of loss, the recentment, the pain, anger etc
Because this is all I am suggesting.
How would you suggest dealing with this imaginary case?