[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.

[Quix]

PRAISE GOD.

ANSWER TO PRAYER.

SO BLESSED that we can agree on this, finally.

Certainly forgiveness is not at all about our absolving the perpetrator of their wrong against God. That is between God and them.

And, certainly it is not about us being foolish to invite the axe murderer to a weekend stay—a 2nd time!!! LOL.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for that beautiful Scripture, dear sister in Christ, and thank you for sharing your insights!

[delacoert]

While a plain reading of Luke 22:36 indicates that Jesus approved of self-defense, I am not sure that it’s a proper exegesis. My admittedly dim recollection of studying this verse is that it is best understood non-literally and not in isolation.

I am not a believer in pacifism. I do not read scripture as endorsing pacifism. I wonder if you would expand on your application/interpretation of this verse. I am not being argumentative; to the contrary, I am genuinely interested in your thoughts.