I’m a Christian, but some doctrines are difficult. I’ve always had a lot of difficulty with that “vengeance is mine, saith the Lord” thing.
That being said, I generally don’t take vengeance, but it takes me a while to get over the hurt, and even more to get over the fact that I didn’t even the score.
But eventually I do. that doesn’t, however, mean that I will ever accept that person as a friend again. does that mean I haven’t trulyl forgiven them?
If so, I’ll just have to answer to God. But if they want forgivenss from me, and I don’t think most snakes ever do, then they will have to find a way to make the past right.
God does not forgive sin without repentance and atonement. Does He require a different standard from us?
I’d like to hear some thoughts on this, because, as I said, I have a lot of difficulty with turning the other cheek, even though I generally do it.
You just need more practice, Chesley.:) The more you forgive, the easier it gets!
I’d like to hear some thoughts on this, because, as I said, I have a lot of difficulty with turning the other cheek, even though I generally do it.
Read Psalm 22. It’s all about Christ. Read Spurgeon’s commentary on the Psalm.
Treasury of David—Psalm 22
... Charles H. Spurgeon ... this particle of restraint, “his,” in “the presence of all his people,” is in Psalm 22:25 ...
www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps022.htm
Think on a couple things.
1. The sinfulness of sin. As long as we make light of sin, and we can do that without realizing what we are doing, we will find it hard to forgive offences.
2. Contemplate this: What if any of us really got what we deserve?
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”
The Lord has given us the weapons, in His Word, for getting victory in these battles.
We don’t forget. The sting is removed. Memory makes us wise, and equips us to comfort others going through the same
struggles. No experience is ever wasted.
I am old. I learned these things in the trenches.
I always thought that God has asked us to repent and ask for forgiveness and that he is “faithful” to us. Meanwhile, though, there is the Lord’s prayer where we ask God to forgive us AS we forgive others.
I heard a good sermon the other day. Basically, it was that we are required to forgive but that true reconciliation cannot take place until the person who has inflicted the injury repents and asks for forgiveness.
I am struggling mightily with this myself. I have always been a very forgiving person but a couple of people in my husband’s family injured us in a most egregious manner. We are suffering financially and I am suffering emotionally. For some reason, it just took everything out of me, so I’m having all kinds of health problems.
It is hard to forgive when you are still enduring the suffering. I think it is easier to forgive when one is out of the situation. Also, I think people who say you must forgive often have no idea how hard it may be. I used to be one of those people, but now I realize that while I might say it, it would be so many words.
I just keep asking God to help me forgive and do it for me. I don’t think I can do it by myself.
Don’t know if I helped you at all but that’s my story.
Yes, I’ve experienced deep betrayals from the very people who should have known better. It does leave one hurt and lost. I have struggled for years with the resulting hurt. I let anger and resentment live in me. It has been an active project to, first forgive them, and second to banish the resentment. It is very easy to forgive, in an intellectual manner, it is difficult from the emotional/spiritual manner. But is is absolutely essential for us to do this if we are to grow spiritually.
I think the point about praying for those who have injured us is excellent. If we have any opportunity to exhibit kindness, that helps. It may be forced at first. But as time goes on it becomes less so. The other party may not respond, but that is because their conscious (with the Holy Spirit) is bringing it to their attention that they have sinned and need forgiveness.
Also, it needs to be pointed out that we will not forget. We will not have a brain wipe like in the movies. This is so that we can learn the lesson. It may be that we need to remember the circumstances that led to the sin so we may not sin again. It may be to remember that the other person is a spiritually weaker person, and they will act in hurtful ways because they really don’t get it. For instance, in my family is an individual who continues to repeat the same errors again and again etc. They continue to put themselves in situations that lead to trouble, thinking they can “master” the situation. In this situation I have learned to just lower my expectations, and to not give any rope with which to hang them self. It is difficult, but we do need to learn the lesson.