Vets refuse to forgive Kerry for antiwar acts

And we didn't shoot wounded people. We had rules against that, too.

He self confessed multiple atrocities on the Congressional record. Is there a statute of limitations?

He really isn't one to run on being this great war hero when he was so ready to get out so soon and come back and turn into a VietCong defender, speak about the supposed war crimes of US soldiers-when he never witnessed such and supported phonies who posed as Vietnam veterans when they never served who testified as such.

You have found the central point.

Kerry cited fabricated atrocity stories, the "Winter Soldier Investigation", in his 1971 Senate testimony.

To date, no reporter has confronted Kerry with the proven fraud in the WSI.

He self confessed multiple atrocities on the Congressional record. Is there a statute of limitations?

There is no statute of limitations on murder. Kerry is a war criminal.

Kerry took an early out from Vietnam after receiving 3 wounds of dubious severity. Does anyone know the fate of the poor schmuck who had to replaced him on that Swift Boat?

How do you spell phony? - K E R R Y

Don't service members take an oath to "support and defend" our nation? Looks like he wasted no time in forgetting about that oath. Service or not, Kerry is a traitor and should be recognized as such. Kind of makes me sick to hear folks praise his service when the man betrayed those he served with.

I keep seeing this reference to a mine explosion but it never says whose mine it was. I HAVE seen reference to
a mine explosion referred to as a friendly fire incident with 2 WIA, from a later date as far as I could tell.

These reports leave you thinking it was a floating anti- ship mine, when we really don't know all the facts.

It's time he released these records, citations, affidavits,
and requests for transfer.(prior to, during, and after his swift boat service.)

How about it John f., I'll release my records if you will release yours!

Ain't skeered!
Got nothing to hide but my pride.

You?

EVERY time I see a title like this, I INSTANTLY wonder, "Did he ask for forgiveness?">>>

LOL!

I NEVER said anything bad about the fighting men in uniform!

Does he think accusing them of war crimes--incidents in vast number of pillage, mutilation, rape, torture, and murder of civilians--isn't saying something bad about them?

I can't quite convey in type the arrogance in that stentorian tone and affectation he exudes. Really quite disgusting.

Yes, Kerry lied right through his crooked teeth to Woodruff about what he said about the guys! Of course the scummy Woodruff, did not challenge him.

PLEASE . . .

let me introduce you to the concept of a

PARAGRAPH.

I realize it's a challenge sometimes . . . but on many posts, I've gone through and inserted even increased paragraphing.

Masses of words are hard on the eyes/brain. Most people simply will not read them.

White space is needed for a microbreak in reading.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep this in mind in future posts.

I would go through this one and paragraph it and repost it but I'm tired and have other priorities.

And, I have forgiven 100's of people who did not ask for it.

Christ on the Cross asked the Father to forgive those sentencing Him and killing Him because they knew not what they did. I assume The Father answered that prayer.

It's fairly clear that no forgiveness was asked for.

IF WE WANT TO BE FORGIVEN, IT IS IN OUR INTEREST TO FORGIVE.

I even practice forgiving Shrillery even though I am fairly convinced she's signed her eternal soul away to the devil virtually literally.

I can count on God to sort out the justice part.

Not sure what sort of computer problem that would be. I have had it at times.

I got to where, if I was in any doubt, I'd put two ENTER'S/line feeds/paragraph codes in between paragraphs. It seemed when I was having that problem, it was particular kinds of pages from particular kinds of sites. Beyond that, I don't have a clue.

When I was serving in Okinawa, I proposed to our Commander that we add a new mission to our Detachment in Vietnam. I had orders back to Danang the next day. The Commander told me to write myself up for a Bronze Star and told me that a LtJG would assist me with the write-up. I didn't think I had earned that sort of merit so never followed up. Turns out, had I not made the reco to the CO, our Detachment would have ceased to exist. Oh well.

It appears that Kerry will win the nomination. In the bargain, he is winning the very best anti-Kerry animosity group that any politician could ever fear. He's going to be energizing all the vet groups whose members are typically very, very outspoken against treasonous people. Kerry's toast!

That isn't how I read the Bible. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3). How many "if's" do you see there? I see two.

It is un-Biblical (and irrational) to "forgive" someone of something that he still embraces.

Read what Jesus says again. Compare and contrast: did Kerry know what he was doing? Does he now?

Dan

I didn't really expect you to agree with me.

The exhortation you quoted was regarding the BRETHEREN, however.

I still find it odd that you'd quibble with Jesus' own words ON THE CROSS of all places and things!!!

Evidently even He has to fit in your preconceived box?

Certainly we must balance all of Scripture with the whole Scriptural counsel of God.

But, go ahead--make sure your judgments of others are prissy prim and proper according to your tidy little boxes.

Then when you pray The Lord's/Our Father prayer . . . you may need to leave out the part about forgiving those who've sinned against you--so that you can be forgiven of The Father . . . but hey--what's a detail like that--you have tidy boxes to keep in order!

I'm quite comfortable forgiving people who have not even become aware of their sins. In fact, I'm convinced in my Spirit that Father expects it of me . . . because I want to be forgiven.

But you don't need to agree with plain Bible. Surely your tidy boxes and private interpretations are sufficient to get you into Heaven.

And when you don't agree with one Scripture, find one that fits your tidy boxes. That's a lot more comforting, no doubt.

Sigh.

I'd have thought that you really would have known more about forgiveness even just simply based on Scripture than you seem to know.

Sad.

What a silly response.

If taking Jesus' very words seriously and setting them in context is "quibbling" to you then yes, I intend to "quibble" about EVERY word of God until my last breath.

Meanwhile, you might go back to the cupboard and take a good dose of getting-the-heck-over-yourself.

Dan

NOT IN CONTEXT!??? Fascinating. SURELY YOU JEST. Or perhaps you've forgotten some of your Bible reading.

I normally avoid listing, including so many Scriptural refs. But, given the accusation of NOT IN CONTEXT, I felt it fitting to compile most of the unique Scriptures from the NT which bear on the issue. I always clicked the BIBLE GATEWAY "IN CONTEXT" option!

Following are a long list of passages in context on forgiving and forgiveness. It's not convenient to count and calculate a percentage of those mentioning confession or repentance vs those which do not. My rough memory is that far the most do NOT mention repentance or confession.

I happen to be of the opinion that God wrote every word, every character of the alphabet very precisely as HE INTENDED by Holy Spirit through those chosen. It is NO ACCIDENT nor mistake that HE CHOSE TO OMIT the issue of confession or repentance in so many passages about forgiveness.

However, if one allowed the tone and drift of BibChr to carry the day, it would be easy to get the feeling that some mistake had been made in the Holy Text.

There is no mistake, of course. Forgiveness is the priority. In fact, a number of passages seem to indicate clearly that repentance, arises out of PRIOR FORGIVENESS which humbles and contributes toward brokenness sufficient for the confession and repentance to be more earnestly, deeply felt, more comprehensive.

CERTAINLY spiritually, psychologically, emotionally--FORGIVING OTHER PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY EVEN KNOW THEY'VE COMMITTED A WRONG OR NOT--IS THE HEALTHY, CHRIST-LIKE THING TO DO for our own health.

It also frees the Holy Spirit somehow to work more intensely or directly on the other person. Often, we somehow mysteriously bind those we refuse to forgive to ourselves in a way that somehow TENDS to limit at least some of God's freedom (according to HIS rules, evidently) to work on breaking that person, reaching them, touching them, overhauling them, drawing them to themselves. It is as though they are changed to US somehow, in some key way(s) and not as 'spiritual-dimensionally' free OF US as might be needed for the influence of Holy Spirit to do the needed work within them.

I don't necessarily expect BibChr to be aware of these things--his biases may prevent such awareness. But the most spiritual, wise, experienced, mature people I know are aware of them.

AND, THEY ROUTINELY PRACTICE UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS. We have seen it put incredible Holy Spirit pressure on the forgiven whereas before, years and decades of no change had occurred. But afterward, dramatic 180 degree change had occurred toward a lasting relationship with God full of daily confession and repentance.

Here's the Mat 6 passage IN CONTEXT--no mention of repentance or a changed life associated with the forgiveness:

Matthew 6

11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[1] '

Footnotes

6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Further along in Mat 6, further explanation, elaboration about the forgiveness of given. Again, NO mention is given of repentance or a changed life at all--and certainly not as a precondition:

Matthew 6

13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[1] ' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Footnotes

6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The MESSAGE version is apt:

Matthew 6
13Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

14"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. 15If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

And the 70 X 7 forgiveness example follows IN CONTEXT, NIV version:

Matthew 18
20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[1]

Footnotes

18:22 Or seventy times seven

MSG VERSION:

A Story About Forgiveness
21At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

NOTE: NOT A SHRED of a mention of a prerequisite repentance/changed life first.

And, the quality of forgiveness is made clear in the MAT 18 passage following from THE MESSAGE version IN CONTEXT:

Matthew 18
34The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. 35And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

UNCONDITIONALLY does NOT speak of any REPENTANCE prerequisite.

In the following IN CONTEXT MARK 11 passage, we can note God's orders that WHEN WE ARE STANDING PRAYING, we MUST FORGIVE *ANYONE* SO THAT WE MAY BE FORGIVEN.

There is NO instruction to stop praying and go grab the offender by the throat until he repents and THEN forgive him. No, WHEN WE STAND PRAYING, WE ARE TO FORGIVE HIM PERIOD. Unless we don't want forgiven! Of course, in that case, continuing to pray at all would be rather cheeky!

Mark 11
24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."[1]

Footnotes

11:25 Some manuscripts sins. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.

THE MESSAGE version puts it well IN CONTEXT:

Mark 11
24That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. 25And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive--only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

In the following Luke passage IN CONTEXT, NIV, we find AGAIN that we must FORGIVE to be FORGIVEN. NO mention is made of grabbing the offender by the neck or otherwise and even expecting, much less asking or demanding repentance first. There's also rather plain exhortation about judging not to avoid being judged. That section IN CONTEXT ALSO does NOT mention that the person we are to refrain from judging must first REPENT/CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

Luke 6
36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

THE MESSAGE version casts it even more in the vernacular of the original Greek, as I understand it--paralleling that in the current vernacular of modern English:

Luke 6
36Our Father is kind; you be kind.
37"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. 38Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

And, of course, IN CONTEXT (NIV) the following passage connects forgiveness with Love rather clearly:

Luke 7
46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

It wouldn't be too farfetched to construe it that someone DEMANDING repentance before forgiving someone--brother or not--might be too short of understanding of all they've been forgiven of.

And we have this somewhat mysterious exhortation in John IN CONTEXT (NIV):

John 20
22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

HE DID **NOT** SAY--'If you demand someone repent first and they do, and then you forgive them, they are forgiven.' Perhaps BibChr would have CORRECTED The Lord's 'mistake' had BibChr been there in person.

Peterson has a different slant on it in THE MESSAGE version, IN CONTEXT:

John 20
22Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. 23"If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"

WHAT INDEED!

Oh, I know what--why one must run around grabbing little rabbit frufru by the neck and demanding repentance first, foremost and always before offering a shred of forgiveness. It's the BibChr way!

Evidently it's NOT THE JESUS Way.

Now in the following IN CONTEXT NIV passage from Acts, repentance is connected with forgiveness:

Acts 8
21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Hmmmmm bitterness . . . I wonder if it's bitterness that demands a pound of flesh before offering forgiveness.

I don't recall Jesus requiring a long listing of the things repented of by the woman washing His feet with her tears before He pronounced forgiveness. Obviously another ERROR BibChr would NOT have committed.

In the following passage, IN CONTEXT (NIV), Paul pronounces forgiveness of others based on forgiveness by locals. There was no checking to see that some list of repentance/changed life hoops had been exacted, demanding, fulfilled beforehand. I guess St Paul forgot to check with BibChr to do it right.

2 Corinthians 2
9The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

In the following IN CONTEXT (NIV) EXHORTATION, Paul again instructs FORGIVE without any hint of our needing to require repentance/changed life first.

Colossians 3

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Peterson puts it IN CONTEXT in the MESSAGE version, this way:

Colossians 3
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. 13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Again, the clear emphasis is on complete, quick forgiveness--NO HINT of ANY hoops for the forgiven to jump through FIRST.

The I John passage IN CONTEXT (NIV) following does connect confession with repentance:

1 John 1

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

HOWEVER, the following IN CONTEXT passage (NIV) omits any mention of confession or repentance. Instead, THE emphasis is put ON ACCOUNT OF HIS NAME!:

1 John 2
11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
12I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

I guess Apostle Paul neglected to consult BibChr again!

Though I can easily imagine that you lack a fair amount of context and specifics regarding forgiveness. PERHAPS the Scriptures can help:

NIV FROM THE BIBLE GATEWAY SITE:

Matthew 26

27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the[1] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Footnotes

26:28 Some manuscripts the new

[Interestingly, in this context, no mention is made of even confession or repentance as preconditions or otherwise related to the forgiveness mentioned in the text.]

Following is another passage in The Message version which does have the 'repentance' = life change aspect in it:

Mark 1
3Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!

4John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. 5People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

In the following IN CONTEXT passage, there is no mention of repentance, confession, changed life. In fact, it appears IN CONTEXT that THE KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION derives FROM the FORGIVENESS. Further, it could be construed that we arrive at The Lord's Salvation NOT through our jumping through tidy boxed hoops of our own private interpretation construction--but OUT OF THE MERCIES OF GOD! GRACE STRIKES AGAIN!

Fascinating: NIV:

Luke 1

76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The MESSAGE version makes it particularly thrilling:

Luke 1

76And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest,"
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
77Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
78Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

A similar passage re John can be found in Luke (MSG VERSION):

Luke 3
2during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas--John, Zachariah's son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. 3He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, 4as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!
"Prepare God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!

And the following IN CONTEXT passage in THE MESSAGE version again seems to link the capacity to lead a changed life rather directly derivatively from forgiveness:

Luke 24
46He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, 47and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations--starting from here, from Jerusalem! 48You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

In the following IN CONTEXT passage, Peter instructs believers to repent/change their lives and be baptized . . . including all whom God shall invite . . . in THE MESSAGE VERSION:

Acts 2
37Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?"
38Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away--whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

In the following passage, IN CONTEXT, God is characterized as GIVING THE GIFT OF REPENTANCE/A CHANGED LIFE and Salvation. IN THE MESSAGE VERSION:

Acts 5
30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. 32And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail."

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

The following NIV version IN CONTEXT notes that that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. No mention of repentance or a changed life is made IN CONTEXT.

Acts 10
42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The following passage in BOTH NIV (1ST) and THE MESSAGE versions (2nd) IN CONTEXT again seem to illustrate that GOD IS DOING THE FORGIVING AND GRACE IS OPERATING IN LIVES TO BRING CHANGED LIVES AS WELL AS FORGIVENESS TO ***THOSE WHO BELIEVE*** . . . noting that such was something the LAW of Moses could not achieve . . . it could be construed that the jumping through the tidy boxed hoops of the law of Moses could not achieve--as another Scripture says--the letter of the law brings death but The Spirit brings liberty, life. And, again it is BELIEF that fosters, opens to, allows, brings the forgiveness rather than even repentance or a changed life according to this passage IN CONTEXT.

Acts 13
37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

THE MESSAGE VERSION:

Acts 13
37But the One God raised up--no dust and ashes for him! 38I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. 39He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

The following NIV passage IN CONTEXT notes that "they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified BY FAITH" . . . again without mention of even repentance, much less a proven changed life first.

Acts 26
17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
19"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

THE MESSAGE VERSION HAS IT:

Acts 26
17""I'm sending you off 18to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'
19"What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn't just walk away from a vision like that! I became an obedient believer on the spot.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

And in 2 Cor 2: IN CONTEXT MSG VERSION, we find Paul exhorting forgiveness lest the offending brother be drowned in guilt etc.

5Now, regarding the one who started all this--the person in question who caused all this pain--I want you to know that I am not the one injured in this as much as, with a few exceptions, all of you. So I don't want to come down too hard. 6What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough. 7Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. 8My counsel now is to pour on the love.

The following MSG AND NIV versions IN CONTEXT articulate the nature, quality of the forgiveness MSG VERSION FIRST:

Ephesians 1
6He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
7Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! 8He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need,

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Ephesians 1
6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The following IN CONTEXT NIV version notes that it is THROUGH HIS BLOOD that we receive FORGIVENESS. Again, no mention of repentance/changed life first.

Colossians 1
13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption,[1] the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of Christ

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Footnotes

1:14 A few late manuscripts redemption through his blood

MSG VERSION:

Colossians 1
13God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, 14the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

Christ Holds It All Together
15We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.

5Now, regarding the one who started all this--the person in question who caused all this pain--I want you to know that I am not the one injured in this as much as, with a few exceptions, all of you. So I don't want to come down too hard. 6What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough. 7Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. 8My counsel now is to pour on the love.

And our last mention of forgiveness found in our NT search is given in THE MESSAGE VERSION and again notes the centrality of THE BLOOD.

Hebrews 9
21He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. 22Moses said to the people, "This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you." Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That's why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.
23That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren't needed anymore, having served their purpose.

© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson