What is forgiveness?

[arunangelo]

What is forgiveness?
To forgive is to give up claim or resentment we have against our offenders in order to bring them healing. For example, if someone insults us we feel that our pride is taken away. To forgive in such a situation, is to sacrifice (give up) our pride and reach out to that person in love, in order to bring healing to that person. The best example of forgiveness is when God took a human form and came into this world to heal human beings who had betrayed Him and were unfaithful to Him (Luke 5:32). He forgave His executioners (Luke 23:34) and sacrificed His life so that they may have eternal life. He thus showed us that, love and forgiveness are the only positive responses to hate.

 

[Rick W]

The best example of forgiveness is when God took a human form and came into this world to heal human beings who had betrayed Him and were unfaithful to Him.

So what do we? Christ has forgiven us much.
Will we then be as the unmerciful servant?

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

 

[destiny]

To forgive is to give up claim or resentment we have against our offenders in order to bring them healing.

I would have to say that forgiveness is predominately for the healing of those who forgive.

To forgive is to emotionally 'untie' oneself- or to free oneself from a situation we were bound to- or invested in through resentment. When we forgive we set our own self free.

Chances are the other party has moved on before we ever forgive.

 

[returntochristianity]

I believe that to forgive is about the same as to accept the apology and forget.

I remember one story about translators trying to come up with an Icelandic word for "forgive." They ended up making one very big word that essentially meant "to accept one's apology and then to forget about it." And I think that that's a good definition. After all, when we are justified at the moment of our salvation, we are not actually perfect, we are merely seen perfect. That is, our sins are forgiven, and forgotten.

The only problem I have with the word "forgotten" is that it implies that God has the ability to forget something, which is, of course, not the case.

 

[Rick W]

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

zâkar
"A primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognised)"

Used in this context it's not forgotten, that is, no longer a memory, but rather no longer held against the transgressor, not brought forth in judgement.

I'm sure glad Christ is faithful because I'm still a work in process. :