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When both parties seek godly and biblical relational reconciliation (whole, complete, restorative, like new) genuinely, isn’t forgiveness given the Christ way rather than forgiveness sought?
We have instruction many times and in many examples, direct commands, and inferences to offer, give, pronounce upon another forgiveness. Still, I’m unsure if I see a time when Christ instructs His followers to seek forgiveness.
Am I missing something? We are to forgive as Christ forgave, yes? Does He wait for, require first an apology? A payment? Making things right? I would answer my question with no and hope for or wait for correction if I’m wayward in my thinking. –Darren
Key Idea: Forgiveness is part of the repentance process, not the beginning or end of it. For more on the doctrine of repentance, please read or listen here and watch a one-hour webinar on this subject. A ten-minute version of the longer webinar is here.
When both parties seek godly and biblical relational reconciliation (whole, complete, restorative, like new) genuinely, isn’t forgiveness given the Christ way rather than forgiveness sought?
We have instruction many times and in many examples, direct commands, and inferences to offer, give, pronounce upon another forgiveness. Still, I’m unsure if I see a time when Christ instructs His followers to seek forgiveness.
Scripture was not given to us in order that we should merely repeat its exact words in parrot-like fashion but in order that we should digest it in our own minds and express it in our own words.
That use was made of Scripture by Jesus and the apostles, who not only quoted the exact words of Scripture, but also by a process of reasoning arrived at inferences and conclusions based upon these words.
The Bible is neither a statute book nor a dogmatics-text but it is the source of theology. As the Word of God, not only its exact words have binding authority but so have all conclusions that are properly derived from it.
Furthermore, neither study of Scripture nor theological activity is at all possible unless one uses terms that do not occur in the Bible. –Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, by Herman Bavinck, Baker Academic, 2006, p. 296
Darren then asks, referring to my article Don’t Apologize and Don’t Say, “I’m Sorry,”
Am I missing something? We are to forgive as Christ forgave, yes? Does He wait for, require first an apology? A payment? Making things right? I would answer my question with no and hope for or wait for correction if I’m wayward in my thinking.
You may want to read:
Texts that Imply Seeking Reconciliation
Conditions When You Can’t Forgive
Understand Transactional and Attitudinal Forgiveness
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Rick launched this training network in 2008 to provide life-changing resources that equip Christians to help others. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology, and in 1991 he received a BS in Education. In 1993 he was ordained into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).