Christian Forgiveness

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17: 3

There is a view held by many professing Christians that forgiveness has to be unconditional. There need be no sign of regret on the part of the trespasser. They think that this response shows Christian love and grace. But it does no such thing but may increase pain and disorder. The situation is worsened when a third person tells an offended person they MUST forgive.

We have the mind of God on the subject. It is, IF HE REPENT…  forgive him. If there is no repentance there can be no forgiveness. To offer forgiveness wthout a repentance damages the offender, robbing him of an urgency to make amends.  It becomes merely a sanctimonious action. It  mocks Christ who calls for a prior repentance.

The Christian will be ever ready to forgive. He will seek to make it easy for the offender to repent, not by a sloppy sentimental pretence that one is not really troubled by it, but by administering a rebuke. The offended person does not then exit with the slamming of doors, but waits with open arms. 

Some will say what about the Lord’s words from the cross, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

So have you found a verse where the Lord contradicts Himself? Were those at the cross forgiven without repentance? Or was it an occasion where this was all in the purpose of God?

The closing scene at the cross shows a multitude walking away and beating their breasts. Was there not repentance?

My salvation, and yours, depends on this. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. God’s righteousness is impugned  by the suggestion that the trespasser need not repent.

RS

Male and Female created He them

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. Genesis 1: 27

Adam said She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man, Genesis 2: 23

The opinions of men matter not. The confessions of religionists and atheists have no bearing on this subject. God has spoken. Physical aberrations may be found at birth, but God creates the person either male or female.

The human race is set apart from all other living creatures in that the image of God is inherent in every human being.

From the beginning the human race would consist of male and female. One man and one woman would become united, one flesh in the sight of God, Joined together by God and utterly inseparable by man. 

Because of the picture this later presents to us of Christ and the Church, the man and woman relationship has ever been one of attack by Satan. His intention is to blur the distinctive character of the two sexes, even to the reversing of their roles.

Deut. 22: 5 gives guidance as to the distinctiveness of the two sexes. It is to be seen in the matter of dress. There are clothes pertaining to the man and clothes pertaining to the woman and they are not to be worn by the opposite sexes.

Godly women will shrink from any clothing of a masculine appearance. This includes style as well as colour.

Men adopting feminine attire (style and colour) are effeminate. (1 Cor. 6: 9)

RS