Forgiveness: The Very Essence of Our Faith

New Life Ministries ^ | September 10, 2019 | Steve Aterburn

[metmom]

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, you Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Joseph was the pride and joy of his father. Though Jacob had ten other sons, he favored Joseph, the one born to him in his old age. Jacob never bothered to hide his special feelings—not even from his other sons. In fact, he expressed his favoritism blatantly and visibly by having an expensive coat made especially for Joseph.

This did not go unnoticed by the older brothers, and they began to resent their spoiled young sibling. Joseph, who was either oblivious to their resentment or insensitive to it, made it worse by bragging to his brothers about his dreams that he would one day rule over them. In one dream, his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to his. In another dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him.

Eventually, Joseph's vivid dreams and their father's favoritism so infuriated the brothers that they plotted Joseph's death. While trying to decide the best way to accomplish it, they spotted a caravan of spice traders on the way to Egypt. Instead of killing Joseph, they decided to sell him as a slave. They said good riddance to their dreaming brother and made up a story to tell their father about his favorite son's tragic fate.

[ebb tide]

The Good Theif on the Cross never had the chance to “ Do” Anything...

Duh. How could he; he was fastened to a cross.

Did God forgive the Bad Thief?

[metmom]

Which would apply to priests who Catholics claim can forgive sin.

And since God has already assured us that if we confess HE WILL forgive us, what’s a priest think he’s doing trying to override God’s promises?

[metmom]

Of course we can learn from the OT.

IMO, it’s important that people have a better knowledge of it than most do.

[metmom]

Very good.

Thanks for your contribution to this thread.

[ebb tide]

Which would apply to priests who Catholics claim can forgive sin.

It was Jesus Christ who told them they could forgive or retain sins.

[Big Red Badger]

Duh....
.
Now go away.

[Elsie]

excellant!

[Elsie]

Did God forgive the Bad Thief?

Well, what does Scripture record as being the requirement(s) for being forgiven?

[Elsie]

Me, tooism.

[Elsie]

Luke 23:39-43

 

39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 

40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 

42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 

43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

[metmom]

Setting oneself up as God never ends well.

[boatbums]

Yet I hear that forgiveness is not for the offender but for the victim. What is forgiveness? Best I can tell its letting go of the desire for vengeance?

I think it is more than letting go of the desire for vengeance. It is letting go of my rights for vengeance. God said, "vengeance is mine, I will repay". I relinquish that to Him and, in that surrender, I am freed from "getting even" or keeping score.

[Big Red Badger]

David didn’t harm Saul when he got a
chance.
God’s Annointed.