How's God's Forgiveness?

[Button]

Okay I'm a newbie in all of this but I do have a pretty good understanding of christianity.

God forgives everything.

Right?

No matter how much you've sinned.

But on some other place or maybe on the same page, it says; God forgives you but true forgiveness only comes when you repent.
Now what does repent mean? Repent means you've been reborn in the holy spirit so I'm thinking there's no chance any of us are being forgiven because who can claim to be reborn in the holy spirit not many.
Jesus did it, although to be fair he was the son of God.
Trained in the gym with his dad and got private lessons; while the rest of us we've got tablets to work with.
So to continue the story, am I supposed to forgive or am I supposed to make it harder for them and earn my forgiveness I've been hearing a lot about forgiving this and that and the other but I can't bring myself to forgive what I know isn't right.
And that's not how god does it either. If anything: he doesn't forgive - he keeps his heart open to forgiveness but lays out the law in what it means to forgive: you show to me, that you're actually sorry, by becoming somebody else.
And you reach me, my generosity consists in leaving the door open for you to pass through it but I won't be leaving it at your doorstep: the higher the better; preferably on mount everest.

 

[Edward]

Okay I'm a newbie in all of this but I do have a pretty good understanding of christianity.

God forgives everything.

Right?

No matter how much you've sinned.

But on some other place or maybe on the same page, it says; God forgives you but true forgiveness only comes when you repent.
Now what does repent mean? Repent means you've been reborn in the holy spirit so I'm thinking there's no chance any of us are being forgiven because who can claim to be reborn in the holy spirit not many.
Jesus did it, although to be fair he was the son of God.
Trained in the gym with his dad and got private lessons; while the rest of us we've got tablets to work with.
So to continue the story, am I supposed to forgive or am I supposed to make it harder for them and earn my forgiveness I've been hearing a lot about forgiving this and that and the other but I can't bring myself to forgive what I know isn't right.
And that's not how god does it either. If anything: he doesn't forgive - he keeps his heart open to forgiveness but lays out the law in what it means to forgive: you show to me, that you're actually sorry, by becoming somebody else.
And you reach me, my generosity consists in leaving the door open for you to pass through it but I won't be leaving it at your doorstep: the higher the better; preferably on mount everest.

You have quite a few things mixed up. First off to repent doesn't speak of the Holy Spirit. To repent means to feel sincere regret or remorse over your sins and to desire to stop sinning.

Ok so you're born again and gave your life to the Lord and asked forgiveness for your sins, right? When you give your life to the Lord, it is a promise to obey Him. That means stop sinning.

All of this is in the Bible, Brother. I suggest that you read the book of John first then read it all cover to cover. That should give you a decent handle on it.

 

[Button]

Isn't true repentance, though; an act of the spirit? As true repentance involves a change of heart and not just of behavior.
I thought I read that.

 

[Edward]

Isn't true repentance, though; an act of the spirit? As true repentance involves a change of heart and not just of behavior.
I thought I read that.

I don't think it's an act of the spirit. It is a change of heart and behavior just as you say but then we would be talking of the heart for sure and perhaps out of the soul in remorse and behavior is the flesh.

Scripture says that we are given a new spirit and heart in

Ezekial 36:
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.../

Ours is a new spirit from God, ok? The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit so if our spirit is in direct communication with God the Holy Spirit then our spirit is holy before God and always knows the right thing to do. So it's not an act of the spirit to repent. Our spirit has nothing to repent over. We are to repent in our heart and in our soul and in our mind and turn away from allowing our fleshbody to act out sin.

The short answer is, it is an act of our will.

We have a will. We have a body and we have to learn to keep our body out of trouble. And if true repentance is your will, and you have asked for forgiveness, then the blood of our Lord covers multitudes of sins. Then is your faith assured in your Lord.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I’m going to type something cliche but true….

God knows right where you’re at.

Pray and seek Him as humbly as you can.

 

[Hopeful]

Okay I'm a newbie in all of this but I do have a pretty good understanding of christianity.

God forgives everything.

Right?

No matter how much you've sinned.

But on some other place or maybe on the same page, it says; God forgives you but true forgiveness only comes when you repent.
Now what does repent mean? Repent means you've been reborn in the holy spirit so I'm thinking there's no chance any of us are being forgiven because who can claim to be reborn in the holy spirit not many.
Jesus did it, although to be fair he was the son of God.
Trained in the gym with his dad and got private lessons; while the rest of us we've got tablets to work with.
So to continue the story, am I supposed to forgive or am I supposed to make it harder for them and earn my forgiveness I've been hearing a lot about forgiving this and that and the other but I can't bring myself to forgive what I know isn't right.
And that's not how god does it either. If anything: he doesn't forgive - he keeps his heart open to forgiveness but lays out the law in what it means to forgive: you show to me, that you're actually sorry, by becoming somebody else.
And you reach me, my generosity consists in leaving the door open for you to pass through it but I won't be leaving it at your doorstep: the higher the better; preferably on mount everest.

God will forgive you if you don't do the sin again.
As all men need to repent, (turn from), all sin, to even become a Christian, the truth of your repentance is crucial.

Welcome to the site.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Okay I'm a newbie in all of this but I do have a pretty good understanding of christianity.

God forgives everything.

Right?

No matter how much you've sinned.

Well, there are requirements on our part which is more important than the type of sin.

But on some other place or maybe on the same page, it says; God forgives you but true forgiveness only comes when you repent.

There’s only one forgiveness, not true and false. But yes, you have identified it.

Now what does repent mean? Repent means you've been reborn in the holy spirit so I'm thinking there's no chance any of us are being forgiven because who can claim to be reborn in the holy spirit not many.

I’m afraid that’s not even close to repentance, but it’s a lot more appealing than real repentance. Real repentance means you are deeply sorry for what you did, and you ask for help and try to refuse to do that again. You might have to ask people to forgive you too.’

Jesus did it, although to be fair he was the son of God.
Trained in the gym with his dad and got private lessons; while the rest of us we've got tablets to work with.
So to continue the story, am I supposed to forgive or am I supposed to make it harder for them and earn my forgiveness I've been hearing a lot about forgiving this and that and the other but I can't bring myself to forgive what I know isn't right.

But God brings Himself to forgive you the real wrong you do. Is it right that you refuse to do the same?

And that's not how god does it either. If anything: he doesn't forgive - he keeps his heart open to forgiveness but lays out the law in what it means to forgive: you show to me, that you're actually sorry, by becoming somebody else.

Where does He say that?

And you reach me, my generosity consists in leaving the door open for you to pass through it but I won't be leaving it at your doorstep: the higher the better; preferably on mount everest.

Not sure that sounds like Him. He requires a change to come to know and understand Him, but not for the initial level or forgiving.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Isn't true repentance, though; an act of the spirit? As true repentance involves a change of heart and not just of behavior.
I thought I read that.

Well, if a person changes their behavior, the heart has changed already. But it’s extremely easy to convince yourself your heart has changed even if your deeds tell another story. Jesus tells the parable about two sons, one who refused to obey and the other days he’d gladly obey (but didn’t.) He indicated the one who repented and actually changed his behavior was approved of, not the one with the “right heart.”

 

[for_his_glory]

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God

REPENT - change, transform, transfigure, reconsider

Repentance gives us that opportunity to receive a new beginning in our life as God wipes away all our past sins and remembers them no more. Repentance allows the door to be opened for Christ to come into our lives so we may receive his Holy Spirit to help guide us in our walk with the Lord and to show us a life that is pleasing to the Father. It’s through the Holy Spirit that we come into a better understanding of Gods word by allowing His Spirit to teach us all things we need to know for the purpose and time of ministry to ourselves and to others.

There is only one way for God to recognize who are his and that is by us opening our heart and confessing we are sinners and knowing that we need to make a change in our lives in order for us to have eternal life with the Father. It’s not our will anymore to make decisions in our lives, but is now we allowing Gods will to make a betterment in our lives. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ we are now dead to self and alive now through the grace of God who wants nothing more than to shower us with his blessings as we surrender all to him through the transfiguration of our heart through repentance of our sins.

When we ask for our sins to be forgiven they are not only forgiven, but they are also forgotten. Our hearts become renewed again and we are given the Holy Spirit, which is the that Spirit of God made flesh in Jesus and given to us for comfort and learning. We receive the Holy Spirit at the time of repentance by asking Jesus into our hearts. Some like to be baptized in actual water, which there is nothing wrong with that as it is an outward appearance to others that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now that we have been transformed from the old man to the spiritual man of God we now become as a newborn baby and our spirit needs nourishment from the word of God and the only way to get the nourishment we need is to get into the word and study it by allowing the Holy Spirit teach it to us for truth and understanding. The way I study is to take a verse at a time and allow the Holy Spirit to give me understanding of that verse before I move on to the next one. This helps me to understand the whole of whatever chapter I am studying.

Through repentance which brings transformation and renewal of mind, body and soul through Gods Spirit we now have to learn that we also have Gods power and authority to be able to stand against Satan who wants nothing more than to destroy our relationship with Jesus who is our mediator to God. That power and authority comes by Gods grace that has brought salvation to our renewed spirit man.​

 

[Edward]

It’s not our will anymore to make decisions in our lives, but is now we allowing Gods will to make a betterment in our lives...

What can the average Christian do in their life to make this a practical reality?

 

[for_his_glory]

What can the average Christian do in their life to make this a practical reality?

Keep walking in the Spirit and be obedient to God's commands as we crucify this flesh daily.

 

[Button]

Would it be fair to say. That only somebody who truly repents can have the holy spirit, thus making it "true repentance-" if true repentance is about turning away from sin. There's no more turning from it than being born again, it's a matter of degree. So that's what I would call true repentance; now: if true repentance is requisite in order to truly be forgiven by god, that's not handed easily; my point being, what I'm theorizing. Is god doesn't forgive.
Otherwise what is there in having a final judgement day if we've already made it?

What you're supposed to do. Is find it in your heart to forgive but then it's the job of the other fella to prove it. Think of it.
What would it take to forgive a serial rapist, that's done you harm.
Being born again, I would say.

Nothing less than a complete departing from sin as far as I'm concerned, and I wouldn't listen to him; that's my take on it.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is what Jesus taught the Disciples and in turn Peter taught others on the day of Pentecost when the Church (body of Christ) was born.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

[Who Me]

God forgives everything.

No Forgiveness is only if we have repented and humbly accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

We do not manufacture repentance, it comes because we are truly sorry.
Because we have encountered a Holy God.

This happens in many different ways and is always followed by a changed life.

 

[Edward]

Forgiveness is a free gift, but we do have to ask for it.

God made it so everything almost is a free gift, but you can't collect unless you register, lol. I mean pray and ask for it. We have not because we have not asked first. God don't force anything upon anyone.

 

[Christ_empowered]

my path is not your path even though we share a bond in Christ. Just…an opening statement lol

I didn’t genuinely repent and earnestly seek forgiveness until I’d been on some Christian journey for 3 or 4 years. And then…

In my case I think it was about Gods timing and it wasn’t just about my progress either…there was a lot a lot a lot going on.

Other people are much different. Saved at a very young age bumps in the road but fairly steady. Others have movie quality testimonies. And so…

Knock keep knocking. That’s a paraphrase of scripture and the best advice I can come up with for you.

 

[Button]

No Forgiveness is only if we have repented and humbly accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

We do not manufacture repentance, it comes because we are truly sorry.
Because we have encountered a Holy God.

This happens in many different ways and is always followed by a changed life.

Do you mean being born again?

 

[Hopeful]

Would it be fair to say. That only somebody who truly repents can have the holy spirit, thus making it "true repentance-" if true repentance is about turning away from sin. There's no more turning from it than being born again, it's a matter of degree. So that's what I would call true repentance; now: if true repentance is requisite in order to truly be forgiven by god, that's not handed easily; my point being, what I'm theorizing. Is god doesn't forgive.
Otherwise what is there in having a final judgement day if we've already made it?

God does forgive, but if one is not going to change their behavior, in spite of His love, they will be lost
The day of judgement isn't about forgiveness, it is about consequences for behavior.

What you're supposed to do. Is find it in your heart to forgive but then it's the job of the other fella to prove it.

By "prove it", I hope you mean "illustrate it".
That by proceeding from that point not doing the sin ever again.

Think of it.
What would it take to forgive a serial rapist, that's done you harm.
Being born again, I would say.
Nothing less than a complete departing from sin as far as I'm concerned,

Amen !

and I wouldn't listen to him; that's my take on it.

What is it you "wouldn't listen to"?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

No Forgiveness is only if we have repented and humbly accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

“Accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior”is not in the Bible, actually although I don’t blame you. It’s what is repeated over and over again in sermons.

for_his_glory quoted what Peter said they needed to do and that was not his answer, although popular as it is fairly vague and benign usually defined as saying particular words, that’s it. The closer description is “repent, ask forgiveness of God and man as necessary for your wrong and surrender.” The church has quite a few unsurrendered believers as a result of simply “accepting.”

We do not manufacture repentance, it comes because we are truly sorry.
Because we have encountered a Holy God.

Well said!! That was one of the best descriptions I’ve ever read. It is the reason we feel the weight of our sin. Excellent!

This happens in many different ways and is always followed by a changed life.

Amen!

 

[Edward]

Keep walking in the Spirit and be obedient to God's commands as we crucify this flesh daily.

Crucify the flesh daily would be a bare minimum, wouldn't it? That scripture, Pray Unceasingly has come to mean to me to be a slight more than daily but more like moment by moment. Doesn't that make sense? It sure does to me.

Story: When I was still working I got inspired to invite the Lord to go with me as I head out into the valley of the shadow of earth, work sector Ed. And it was great because I would talk to Him in my work truck between service calls. In His still small voice and He never has manifested yet for me. And driving around all day to 5 to 8 different addresses takes a bit of time so I talked to quite a bit and began hearing Him better. It was quite the acheivement for me to learn how to really hear the Lord's voice. I felt like a spiritual giant at that point. Who else has the Creator of the universe riding shotgun with them?!

Of course He had to let me know the error of my ways very gently, thanks Lord.

So me and the Lord is chatting and then we get to my jobsite. So what's Mr spiritual giant do? He leaves the Lord in the truck, ouch.

I'm in the house and it's a spooky one. Some fancy new high efficiency furnace & A/C system...it does not work for a full cycle. This machine is nothing new to me and it was top shelf equipment brand. But it started being mean to me (Lol). It would not let me discover what the problem is. It kept failing in different ways. Very odd. I get just frustrated enough to begin to pray and as I think that, I remember that...I left Him in the truck. So instead of walking out to get Him I just prayed for Him if He would please come in and help? He came right in and helped me out and I was done in 10 minutes. Praise the Lord.

Out in the truck He said to me, wouldn't it have gone faster if you had invited me in in the beginning? I instantly knew He was right. And I had slighted Him by leaving Him in the truck. Suddenly the guy wasn't a spiritual giant anymore.

WHen we turn from Him to do something of our own accord, and our focus goes off of Him, then...things begin to go wrong at times. We can't figure something out, we are sinking in water then the Lord will come fast when we cry out, Lord save me, I Perish!

The Lord never has told me if my difficulty with that unit was His doing or not, lol. I think maybe. I left my helper behind in the truck, the creator of the universe no less! So maybe He was slightly annoyed at me? No, something else. Make me need Him so I will invite Him in with His only goal is increased conversation with me (us). He just wants the conversation! It worked too because I started inviting Him in with me everywhere. I can't see any of them yet, but I imagine I may just have somewhat of an entourage around me in the spirit? One or two Guardian Angels, The Holy Spirit, The Father and Yeshua...right there with me. Surrounding me with a Divine crowd of beings like you see Trump and all those guys who always have an entourage around them. Well then, that's me too!

I dunno know why many Christians do not believe in this sort of thing. Because they can't see it more than likely. But it is very real. It is more real than only seeing or considering that which can only be seen, in the material world.

But the thing is, (Peter) you have to not take your focus off of the Lord at all. He who sticks closer than a Brother. You can't ignore Him if He is there with you, and He is. The Lord told me that He wants me to even come and ask Him very little questions, that He doesn't mind that one bit..
He just wants fellowship with us, to hang out with us at all times, moment by moment.

Pray unceasingly indeed! Because I guarentee you if you talk to the Lord long enough, He will answer you and turn up the volume in your ear (so to speak) so there is no question about His presence and words speaking. Sometimes on the way to work, I'd ask the Lord if He wanted me to take Him anywhere else and not to work today? And He always told me to go to work, lol.

Sorry I started rambling, lol. But it's true. I still think He was playing games with me from the truck and making it hard for me so I would invite Him in! He's been known have some mischeviousness about Him and a good sense of humor. He told me that He never stops talking to people. But most can not hear Him. He likened it to tuning in a radio to the right frequency, in spirit.

It's a spirit of relationship. No big crises to pray about? Everything ok for the moment? Make small talk with Him, He loves it. It's what people do in a relationship.
I'll stop now, sorry. Lol.