What is forgiveness?

[arunangelo]

Forgiveness is the key to peace

To forgive is not only to give up claim or resentment we have against our offenders but also to bring them healing. Jesus tells us to love our enemy, help those who hurt us and pray for our persecutors (Luke 6: 27-36). We should forgive without limit. If we do not forgive each of our offenders from our heart (Matt. 18, 35) we do not have His Spirit in our heart. Furthermore, in order to accept God's mercy (which brings us Heaven) we have to believe in it by showing the same mercy to others (Matt. 6: 14-15).

Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53: 5 &7). Furthermore, during his suffering and death he forgave his persecutors (Luke 23:34); and was concerned about the suffering they would bring upon themselves by their sins rather than his own suffering (Luke 23:28).

[Liteninbolt]

[Replying to post 1 by arunangelo]

Hear hear!

[Divine Insight]

Forgiveness is the key to peace

To forgive is not only to give up claim or resentment we have against our offenders but also to bring them healing. Jesus tells us to love our enemy, help those who hurt us and pray for our persecutors (Luke 6: 27-36). We should forgive without limit. If we do not forgive each of our offenders from our heart (Matt. 18, 35) we do not have His Spirit in our heart.

Up to this point anyone can practice forgiveness without any need to for religion or quoting verses from Holy Texts. Many atheists are extremely forgiving people. And certainly many non-Christians are extremely forgiving people too.

Furthermore, in order to accept God's mercy (which brings us Heaven) we have to believe in it by showing the same mercy to others (Matt. 6: 14-15).

And now you aren't talking about forgiveness at all. Instead you are just "preaching" that some imaginary God will supposedly have mercy on people if they forgive others.

Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53: 5 &7). Furthermore, during his suffering and death he forgave his persecutors (Luke 23:34); and was concerned about the suffering they would bring upon themselves by their sins rather than his own suffering (Luke 23:28).

And now you're just getting carried away with preaching a very specific religious dogma.

[dianaiad]

Forgiveness is the key to peace

To forgive is not only to give up claim or resentment we have against our offenders but also to bring them healing. Jesus tells us to love our enemy, help those who hurt us and pray for our persecutors (Luke 6: 27-36). We should forgive without limit. If we do not forgive each of our offenders from our heart (Matt. 18, 35) we do not have His Spirit in our heart. Furthermore, in order to accept God's mercy (which brings us Heaven) we have to believe in it by showing the same mercy to others (Matt. 6: 14-15).

Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53: 5 &7). Furthermore, during his suffering and death he forgave his persecutors (Luke 23:34); and was concerned about the suffering they would bring upon themselves by their sins rather than his own suffering (Luke 23:28).

Moderator Comment

This post violates preaching guidelines. It also needs a question for discussion. What is up for debate here, in your view?

Please review the Rules.


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Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

[Liteninbolt]

[Replying to post 4 by dianaiad]

Would the moderator please explain how the OP is violating or preaching in this site? I did not see it being specifically pointing to anyone or any group. Would there have been any place on this site where it could have been posted where it would not have been called down?

[Divine Insight]

[Replying to post 4 by dianaiad]

Would the moderator please explain how the OP is violating or preaching in this site? I did not see it being specifically pointing to anyone or any group. Would there have been any place on this site where it could have been posted where it would not have been called down?

I'm not a moderator, but I do believe that in the "Holy Huddle Room" a post like the OP might be acceptable.

Holy Huddle Room

Although, even there I think the Christians would like to have some sort of question to discuss.

This thread is entitled, "What is forgiveness?"

And that's certainly a valid question for debate, or discussion, if left open. A person could simply suggest what it means to them.

However, the OP didn't really leave much room for the meaning to extend beyond Christianity at all when he started saying things like:

"Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed."

How does this relate back to the original question of the thread? At this point it has become nothing more than a sermon of some sort.

Is there any reason why an atheist or non-Christian cannot forgive people without having someone beaten with stripes and nailed to a pole first?

If so, then perhaps an explanation of why this is not possible is in order.

[OnceConvinced]

[Replying to post 4 by dianaiad]

Would the moderator please explain how the OP is violating or preaching in this site? I did not see it being specifically pointing to anyone or any group. Would there have been any place on this site where it could have been posted where it would not have been called down?

Moderator Clarification

Generally any post where the writer is preaching "from a soap box" or quoting scripture as if it's authoritative, is considered preaching and frowned upon in a debate forum such as this.

There is the Holy Huddle room, where Christians can preach if they wish and there is also the Theology, Doctrine, and Dogma sub forum, where certain allowances are made, as it is the only sub forum here where the bible is considered authoritative.

Also be aware that any questions or challenges relating to moderator comments should be done via PM so as not to detract from the thread itself.

While I'm at it, posts such as "Hear hear" and nothing else is also against forum rules. If all you want to do is appreciate a post, simply click on "like this post" or do an MPG donation (which will highlight the post)

Rules
C&A Guidelines


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Moderator clarifications do not count as a strike against any posters. They serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received and/or are given at the discretion of a moderator when he or she feels a clarification of the rules is required. i

[Liteninbolt]

[Replying to post 7 by OnceConvinced]

I see. Thought is controlled here. I believe I'll move onto something else. Good evening.