Cheapening Forgiveness?

Today, I replied to a WorldNetDaily letter writer. He was concerned about the concept of "cheap forgiveness." While I can understand his feeling the way he did, I don't think that he was theologically correct in his conclusions. Bob, Charlie L., Mark, Highboy, Anna, Stephen, Susan, Saltnlight, Real Deal, (and other Christians who post here), feel free to correct me if you think I am in error about this. Also, if you have more to add (I hope you do!!) please post it. Admittedly, this involves some deep, theological thought and application. But I think it would be good to ponder and discuss.

Here is the original letter at WorldNetDaily. I will then post my reply afterwards.


Cheapening forgiveness
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I'd like to address forgiveness as outlined in Craig R. Smith's "A lesson from the Amish" and David Kupelian's "The war on fathers."

Forgiveness should not, ever, be given without repentance. Surely you will say that Jesus forgave on the cross those who were not repentant. Uh-huh. But what about Luke 17:3 when He said, "If your brother sins against you, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." The key word here is IF. Got it? Or will you say that Jesus must have forgotten about this and changed His mind on the cross? Forgiving those who have not repented and teaching this to others is hurting the Body and those who are in real need of forgiveness. This false teaching only leads others to believe that they can do whatever they please and they'll be forgiven.

God doesn't forgive without repentance, and God doesn't ask or instruct anyone else to do so, either.

Stop it. At once. Forgive, yes, when there is repentance – only when there is repentance.

John Snakenberg

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My reply:

I'd like to reply to John Snakenberg's letter regarding "cheap forgiveness."

Human forgiveness for a wrong done by others is different from God's forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ at the cross.

In this particular case, human forgiveness was given by the Amish people towards the perpetrator. It was probably done in accordance with Christ's admonition to forgive, as well as for the benefit of themselves (the Amish). The third benefit is that the family which the murderer left behind, would be shown to be innocent of his actions (which they, of course, were).

Bitterness, anger and hatred towards a murderer are human emotions that we all would feel towards any act of murder. It's even worse if it (God forbid!) ever happened to our own children. How could we not be torn apart by it? It 's a sobering reminder that there is good and evil in the world. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble." But he didn't end there. He also said, "But take heart! For I have overcome the world."

However, such negative emotions caused by evil acts and kept inside, steaming, burning and eating at our hearts, would do nothing but add to the anguish within, as well as the anguish of all involved. Releasing this to God through forgiveness, overcomes those negative feelings. At least that is what happened to me when I, personally forgave another person who did me wrong. It was such a relief!

Admittedly, this is really tough to do. My situation wasn't anywhere near as terrible as the murder of the Amish children. We can all learn quite a lesson in humility, grace and forgiveness through these people and how they handled such deep grief.

This brings us to the question, "can there be forgiveness without repentance, and can forgiveness be complete without it being accepted?"

That is a great question! In my case, I forgave an individual in my own heart without even telling her how much she hurt me. She didn't have to accept my forgiveness for her actions, I just gave it out freely, in secret, through prayer to God. When I did this, it was like a huge burden was lifted from my soul! I was able to be reconciled with this person, and our relationship was restored, healed and is growing ever stronger now. I will tell you this. I
couldn't have done it without the Holy Spirit's leading in my life. That made all the difference.

Also, extended forgiveness done in such a manner as this, helps the healing process for all concerned (e.g. the murderer's family and the Amish people affected by this horrible tragedy).

Human forgiveness afforded between people here on earth is a finite act of the will because of Christ's infinite, sacrificial act at the cross of forgiveness. This is what is meant in Jesus' example of "how should we pray?" The answer is, "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Our capacity to forgive comes from God Himself!

As far as God's forgiveness being afforded to the murderer himself, it is true that he could not have the grace, mercy and salvation bestowed upon him by God unless he repented of his sins and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of his life before death. We don't know, for sure, if he ever did so in his lifetime or not. It doesn't appear likely, but we can only guess at this point. As is the case with each of us, it is a matter between each individual person and God.

Jesus asks us all, "Who do you say that I am?" How we answer that question, whether or not we are born again (see John 3), and whether or not we die with our own sins upon our own soul or covered by the blood of Jesus Christ through the cross, determines whether or not we are forgiven by God. That decision for (or rejection of) Christ determines where we spend eternity...with God or separated from Him...forever.