Forgiveness

[Starfish]

This has been an active topic in our ward lately, as there have been a number of us needing to hear that we need to improve and repent. As I've listened to the discussions led by our bishop and our R.S. pres., I realized that we all can apply it in different ways. I started out self-righteously hoping that "so-and-so" was GETTING THE MESSAGE, then realizing that "so-and-so" was me!
I also realized that I need to apply this to my own conduct in RF. I will try harder.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Katya]

I tend to forgive nearly everyone in my life, because if I didn't, I would go completely insane. Mind you, some people think I'm already there. :yes:

There's just one person, I've never been able to forgive, and it's really starting to bug me. :slap: (i love this smilie. cracks me up)

I look forward to the day when I finally do.

 

[Heneni]

How many times should I forgive my brother?..Jesus said 'Seventy times seven'

Surely Jesus was not thinking about forgiving EVERY offense EVERY time...that seems like you would appear to be a sucker for punishment. At some point the offended needs a good smack..that will probably set them right!

But actually, what Jesus was trying to say, is that the moment you feel like you need to forgive, you have become a victim. You could be a real victim or you are playing the part of the offended, but infact your ego should not allow any such feelings of resentment to surface.

Forgiveness can become just another form of control we have over someone else. Witholding forgiveness means we want to remain the victim.

Interesting that Jesus said on the cross...'forgive them father for they know not what they have done'. Jesus willingly became the victim, hence he had to forgive to stop being the victim, and to became the victor.

Perhaps what we can also learn from this, is that the moment you feel like you need to forgive, you are implying that you are a victim. This is a hard pill to swallow. Since Jesus was really innocent, he was truly a victim, (from a human perspective) be it a willing victim. Who of us is completely innocent? Perhaps then, none of us should ever have to ask 'should I forgive'.


Heneni

 

[madhatter85]

How many times should I forgive my brother?..Jesus said 'Seventy times seven'

Surely Jesus was not thinking about forgiving EVERY offense EVERY time...that seems like you would appear to be a sucker for punishment. At some point the offended needs a good smack..that will probably set them right!

But actually, what Jesus was trying to say, is that the moment you feel like you need to forgive, you have become a victim. You could be a real victim or you are playing the part of the offended, but infact your ego should not allow any such feelings of resentment to surface.

Forgiveness can become just another form of control we have over someone else. Witholding forgiveness means we want to remain the victim.

Interesting that Jesus said on the cross...'forgive them father for they know not what they have done'. Jesus willingly became the victim, hence he had to forgive to stop being the victim, and to became the victor.

Perhaps what we can also learn from this, is that the moment you feel like you need to forgive, you are implying that you are a victim. This is a hard pill to swallow. Since Jesus was really innocent, he was truly a victim, (from a human perspective) be it a willing victim. Who of us is completely innocent? Perhaps then, none of us should ever have to ask 'should I forgive'.


Heneni

There is a commandment in the Doctrine and Covenants section 98>

Doctrine and Covenants 98

the seventy times seven is only if they themselves repent of thier transgression. if they are unrepentant, we are still commanded to forgive them, but not so many times.

23 Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
24 But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you.

25 And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundredfold.

26 And again, if he shall smite you the third time, and ye bear it patiently, your reward shall be doubled unto you four-fold;

27 And these three testimonies shall stand against your enemy if he repent not, and shall not be blotted out.

28 And now, verily I say unto you, if that enemy shall escape my vengeance, that he be not brought into judgment before me, then ye shall see to it that ye warn him in my name, that he come no more upon you, neither upon your family, even your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.

29 And then, if he shall come upon you or your children, or your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation, I have delivered thine enemy into thine hands;

30 And then if thou wilt spare him, thou shalt be rewarded for thy righteousness; and also thy children and thy children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.

31 Nevertheless, thine enemy is in thine hands; and if thou rewardest him according to his works thou art justified; if he has sought thy life, and thy life is endangered by him, thine enemy is in thine hands and thou art justified.

32 Behold, this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers, Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles.

......
41 And if he trespass against thee and repent not the first time, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him.
42 And if he trespass against thee the second time, and repent not, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him.

43 And if he trespass against thee the third time, and repent not, thou shalt also forgive him.

44 But if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him, but shalt bring these testimonies before the Lord; and they shall not be blotted out until he repent and reward thee four-fold in all things wherewith he has trespassed against thee.

45 And if he do this, thou shalt forgive him with all thine heart; and if he do not this, I, the Lord, will avenge thee of thine enemy an hundred-fold;

This is the Law in regards to the Kingdom of heaven, We are required to forgive, But if they keep coming to us the Lord says we are justified in doing whatever action is neccesary, However, HE states that if we bear it patiently and do not extract vengance ourslefves we will be greatly rewarded.

 

[Heneni]

I agree with what you have said. I believe the reason why we must forgive is so that we will not have to play the part of a victim, or that we dont have to remain the victim. God did say that we are more than conquerors. I also believe that the only part in us that can be hurt is our ego. And when you have no ego..you wont have anything to forgive.