Regarding Forgiveness

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. (From Psalm 41) Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness . . . It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. . . Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. . . As for my companion, he betrayed his friends . . . His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! (From Psalm 55)

Q1: “Can I truly forgive if I do not feel like forgiving?”

Q2: “Do we have to forget to truly forgive?” Isaiah 43:25: I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Q3: Have I forgiven a person if we do not become good friends again?

Q4: What is required of an offender to be forgiven? Luke 17:3-4: If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.

Q5: Do I have to forgive if the person keeps repeating the offense? Luke 17:3-4: If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.

Q6: “I know I must keep on forgiving people of the wrongs they keep doing to me, but is there something more I should do?” Vicious cycles must be broken. Love is thinking and acting in the best interests of others.

Potential Further Action for Repeat Offenders Confront your repeat offender Avoid your repeat Set up boundaries Insist on counseling, detox, treatment Discipline if you have the authority Prosecute if the law is broken

Final Question How do we go about tearing down any walls that may exist so that our congregation is striving together as one person for the faith of the gospel? (Philippians 1:27)

Tearing Down the Walls Be doers of the Word; not only hearers. Practice damage control. Apologize for the wrongs you have done. Seek to solicit an apology from those who have wronged you. Always stand poised to forgive those who have trespassed against you. Start anew at rebuilding the relationship.