Part of the act of forgiving is being aware that the sinner is truly repentant and that “Go and sin no more” is his intent.I think in the case of an individual forgiving a trespass by another doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the heart of the one who committed the wrongdoing.I do not recall reading any qualifier from Christ Jesus on who we are to forgive. What if someone abuses and child and is not sorry, but says he is? What if that someone is a Catholic priest, and he is truly repentant?
It is the heart of the forgiver that is healed by forgiving the perpetrator.
An individual forgiving another does not absolve the wrongdoer or clense him/her as forgivness from God does.
I believe God forgives when the sinner realizes his sin and repents and asks God for forgivness.
If we (even a child) do not forgive, we have the tendancy to become bitter and...well...unforgiving.
As has been stated, a child needs to be taught the reason and necessity of forgiveness while at the same time being told that only God's forgivness can wash away the sin.
ABSOLUTELY!
AND VERY WONDERFULLY PUT.
THX.
. . . NOW back to the pottery studio to put kiln wash on some more shelves.
Have fun kiddies.
Thank you for putting that more clearly than I.
I think that this is a stumbling block to forgiveness for so many. It's almost the feeling like if we forgive, that means that we admit that what the other person did wasn't wrong after all. It's especially hard when the other person never repented and is just merrily going on their way, prospering and continuing to commit the same sin as if nothing happened and they're not wrong.
It's something I've struggled with in forgiving people.
Amen.