Forgiveness

[spockrates]

…

By the way, the cross is a sign quite different from the crucifix.

Yes, one has no suffering Savior, the other has the suffering Savior.

I would say I wear it as a sign of His love for me. …

Then it would be better for him to ask, rather than to assume that the crucifix is a horrific symbol glorifying torture. True?

 

[o_mlly]

…
So, what does it mean to “forgive”

I believe it is for our own sake that we forgive. Peace is not likely if we allow the acts of those who offend us to continue to live rent-free in our minds.

and are we required to “forgive” the unrepentant sinner who continues to sin against us?
AND if so, what does it mean to forgive since we are told to treat that person as a “pagan”?

How did St. Paul treat pagans? In charity toward them, he worked for their conversion.

 

[spockrates]

Ready:

Are you ready to answer?

 

[djeter]

Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18:15-17

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, **treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. **

Any thoughts?

A fascinating topic. I’ve collected several quotes and reflections here:

payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/08/17/forgiveness/

http://payingattentiontothesky.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/forgiveness.jpg?w=377&h=501
Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime,
Therefore, we are saved by hope.
Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
Therefore, we are saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.
**Reinhold Niebuhr **