Forgiveness, Follow Up

Q

Re: Forgiveness. Great article! Does it mean we have to forgive even if the person knows what they did and doesn’t care?

A

Yes. That’s what it means. Our failure to forgive someone who has wronged us is a sin that can interrupt our fellowship with the Lord and deprive us of blessings we might otherwise receive. Because the Lord forgave us for everything, He expects us to forgive each other as well (Matt. 18:21-22). The other person’s attitude is irrelevant.

But as I said, forgiveness is not the same as acceptance. If our efforts to reconcile are rejected, we are not expected to continue associating with the other person. This is what Jesus meant when He said to treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector (Matt. 18:17). But our forgiveness must be sincere and from the heart regardless of the other person’s response.