Perhaps a better play on words:
I once read a book in which the author said that forgiveness is what we give in return for whatever evil is done to us.
(I know that this lady was making a play on words, but it struck me as a very good poiint).
Perhaps a better play on words:
Forgiveness is what we give in return for what the forgiven *takes *from us.
I know that some people have an immediate experience of the depravity of their sinfulness, and the transcendent holiness of God. For some of us, though, it has been more of a process to understand our own unworthiness in the face of His inexpressible gift. To truly appreciate His forgiveness of us, we must be able to see ourselves as He sees us. For that, we need the “mind of Christ”. This is formed by looking into the mirror of the Word of God, and being formed in prayer. As we grown, we develop a deeper appreciation for the gap that lies between ourselves, and God, and therefore, the value of the bridge that He has made to cross it. One thing is for sure, if we ask Him to show us how He sees us, our prayers will always be answered.Now that the answer is in sight, I hope you will stay awhile to help me see it through. For it is still not fully clear, but somewhat of a blur, as if seen from a great distance. A few more answered questions will bring it closer into view. One question: How does God forgive? Or more specifically, what (if anything) do I have to do before God will forgive me? Please tell me that I might more clearly bring the truth in focus.
:thankyou:
LOL! Yeah, I thought the discussion on the same topic in the Philosophy forum had died a sudden death (like the guys in the Star Trek landing parties who wore read shirts and who never returned to the ship)! You joined the discussion just after bones said, “My God Jim, he’s dead!” and Spock remarked, “You have a flare of overstating the obvious, Doctor.”… beep beep , captain kirk to scotty , beam me up because spock is asking the same questions , beam me to the philosophy forum please , over and out , beep beep , see you on the other thread mr spock
Are you one who has asked Him? and if so, what did He tell you about the way He not only sees, but also forgives, you?
Christ tells us if we want to be forgiven we must forgive. But to forgive is to let go of the past, give people a second chance. Or sometimes when the hurt is so strong and you are holding alot of resentment it is better to say I forgive you but for now we must separate as friends for a time being.Asking what forgiveness is, that is? You see, I’m not sure, and I’m thinking that since I don’t really know what forgiveness is, then I cannot really know how to forgive!
I think it’s a good topic to discuss with non-Catholics, as people of all religions advocate forgiving, I think. It might be fun, and enlightening, to have a good dialog about something we might all be able to agree upon.
But I don’t think the answer is as easy as it might seem. I mean, I’ve asked the same question at the Philosophy forum, and the Catholic Living forum, and the Sacred Scripture forum, and there was not any consensus, and more questions than answers. My hope is that we might have better results here in a non-Catholic forum–which will be surprising given the bias some Catholics have that non-Catholics cannot agree on anything!
So tell me, please. What is forgiveness?
Sure you should. But Can You?http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss155/jakehubner/question-mark-red.png
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Does anyone else agree that you and I should forgive others the way God the Father forgives us?**
Do you want to know what Forgiveness REALLY IS?Perhaps a better play on words:
Forgiveness is what we give in return for what the forgiven *takes *from us.
Well, if I should be as perfect as God in the way He forgives, Rinnie, then I must–or at least I must as much as *He *makes me able.
But is this the perfect way that God forgives, Rinnie? Does He forgive just for Himself, to make Himself feel good? or is there something in the way He forgives that gives, and will bring, some benefit to you and me?Do you want to know what Forgiveness REALLY IS?
It is a free gift that YOU GIVE to YOURSELF.
When you truly forgive and let the resentment go, you are FREE!!:extrahappy:
When you forgive someone you are giving yourself the true gift not them. Because when you think about it rather you really forgive them or not there is nothing they can do about it.
And if you hold on to the anger and hurt you are truly not hurting them, you are screwing yourself and your loved ones and friends.
WHY? Simple because YOU are miserable and MISERABLE to be around. But when you say I forgive you and let it go you are HAPPY!!!
Isn’t it just like God to ask Us to do this kindness for someone else, and then bound back the kindness more to us!! Yeah its a GOD THING!!
But Rinnie, when you ask God to forgive you, are you asking Him to put some distance between Him and you? or are you asking for something different?
But see that is the gift of it. When we forgive we THINK we are GIVING the gift to the other person and we are in a way. But what happens is when we do the right thing and give forgivness it is GOD who really gives us the gift that we never expected to receive.But is this the perfect way that God forgives, Rinnie? Does He forgive just for Himself, to make Himself feel good? or is there something in the way He forgives that gives, and will bring, some benefit to you and me?
spockrates God is not other people. I don’t always need other People. I NEED GOD.But Rinnie, when you ask God to forgive you, are you asking Him to put some distance between Him and you? or are you asking for something different?
But you said that you and I both need to forgive the same perfect way that God forgives. So God might not be like me, but I must try to be like Him. True? So the question remains: What is the gift that God gives when He forgives?