[wagglebee]

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.

Are you saying that ordinary people have to be satisfied that those who have harmed us are repentant before we forgive them? Because that is not supported by anything in the New Testament.

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers, oops again! I should have read ahead and pinged you to my 2053 in reply to your 2041.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Are you saying that ordinary people have to be satisfied that those who have harmed us are repentant before we forgive them?

In a perfect world. I realize that is not the case, and we are called to forgive all those who trespass against us.

But to forgive does not mean to permit the sinner to sin again against us.

As we are commanded to forgive, we are also commanded to protect those whom God has given us.

"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." --Luke 22:36

There's a difference between defending the innocents among us by seeking a righteous justice, and a passive acceptance of the evil around us.

Yes, we forgive all who sin against us. But we also have a responsibility not to make ourselves vulnerable to the sins of others.