forgiveness

Forgiveness is not necessarily a feeling of ease, comfort or affection towards those who have wronged you. Those come as a result of three active principles: forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation. Forgiveness is praying, thinking, speaking and acting in the best eternal interests of your offender no matter your own cost.

section 1

the heart of forgiveness

i corinthians 13:5  nlt 

{Love} keeps no record of being wronged.

return

Forgiveness is a product of Christ’s love that is in us  i peter 4:8  esv   ii corinthians 5:14-16  esv . That is the whole why and how of forgiveness.

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

i peter 4:8  esv 

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

return

ii corinthians 5:14-16  esv 

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that One has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him Who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer.

return

section 2

ephesians 4:31-32  esv 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

return

Freely we have been forgiven, so freely we should forgive  matthew 10:8  nas . So, it would be a betrayal of God and transgression to not forgive others for that is insulting the Spirit of Grace  matthew 18:21-35   hebrews 10:29  csb .

for + give

FOR = with the object or purpose of:

GIVE = to gift voluntarily and without expecting compensation:

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

matthew 10:8  nas 

Freely you received, freely give.

return

matthew 18:21-35

this is a bit long... you gotta look it up in your own Bible.

return

hebrews 10:29  csb 

How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

return

my notes:

section 3

matthew 6:14-15  esv 

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

return

We are commanded to forgive. So, it is to the offended’s glory to overlook an offense  proverbs 19:11  esv  and work towards the offender’s restoration, especially when they do not deserve it  ii samuel 14:14  nlt , because of the desire for reconciliation  ii corinthians 2:4  nlt   luke 15:20  nlt . But overlooking a sin is not pretending it did not happen; it is in spite of the offense to still look to the eternal interests of the one who offended you  james 5:19-20  esv . So, precautions  ii timothy 4:14-15  niv84 , justice  romans 12:17-21  nlt , separation  philemon 15  nas , and even severe discipline might be a necessary part of that process  i corinthians 5:5  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

proverbs 19:11  esv 

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

return

ii samuel 14:14  nlt 

All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, He devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from Him.

return

ii corinthians 2:4  nlt 

I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

return

luke 15:20  nlt 

"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

return

james 5:19-20  esv 

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

return

ii timothy 4:14-15  niv84 

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

return

romans 12:17-21  nlt 

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.

Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

return

philemon 15  nas 

For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever...

return

i corinthians 5:5  esv 

you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

return

section 4

matthew 18:15  esv 

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

return

Initially, the offended should make the effort to seek the offender out and lovingly point out the error if the offense could lead to the offender’s separation from you and more importantly separation from God  leviticus 19:17-18  esv   i john 5:16-17  esv . Otherwise, leave room for the Holy Spirit to work out that person’s limited faults  revelation 2:21  esv   i john 5:16  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

leviticus 19:17-18  esv 

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

return

i john 5:16-17  esv 

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

return

my notes:

revelation 2:21  esv 

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent...

return

1 john 5:16  esv 

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

return

section 5

forgiveness without repentance

matthew 18:35  esv 

So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.

return

Forgiveness must always start in our heart because of our relationship with the Lord, not from some other person’s appropriate response to their sin. Forgiveness is a choice {not a feeling} to willingly give to one what is needed, especially when they do not deserve it. We are to forgive from the heart always, whether the offender repents and seeks to be reconciled or not  mark 11:25  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

mark 11:25  esv 

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also Who is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

return

my notes:

section 6

i peter 2:19-3:2  esv 

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly...For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps... Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

return

We are to live our lives in such a way as to win unbelievers and the disobedient over without words. Be understanding of the weaker  proverbs 4:19  esv   deuteronomy 29:4  esv   romans 15:1-3  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

proverbs 4:19  esv 

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

return

deuteronomy 29:4  esv 

But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.

return

romans 15:1-3  esv 

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me."

return

my notes:

section 7

matthew 18:15-17  esv 

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

return

If the offender is a proclaimed brother in Christ  i corinthians 5:12  esv , and will not listen to your rebuke, for the sake of the "believing" offender, if the sin is deadly enough {committed to} one must stop praying and overlooking sin  i john 5:15-17  esv   jeremiah 14:11-5:2  esv   jeremiah 18:7-12  niv84   ezekiel 3:17-21  esv   proverbs 19:18  niv84   proverbs 24:10-12  niv84  and take the matter to the church in hope that the various levels of discipline from the body will bring about salvation  i corinthians 5:5-13  esv   ii corinthians 2:6-8  esv   ii thessalonians 3:14  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

i corinthians 5:12  esv 

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

return

i john 5:16  esv 

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

return

jeremiah 14:11-5:2  esv 

The LORD said to me: "Do not pray for the welfare of this people...

"You shall say to them this word...

Then the LORD said to me, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, yet My heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of My sight, and let them go! And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: "‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence, and those who are for the sword, to the sword; those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’

return

jeremiah 18:7-12  niv84 

If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned...

"Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’

return

ezekiel 3:17-21  esv 

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul."

return

proverbs 19:18  niv84 

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

return

proverbs 24:10-12  niv84 

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done?

return

my notes:

i corinthians 5:5-13  esv 

you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

return

ii corinthians 2:6-8  esv 

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

return

ii thessalonians 3:14  esv 

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

return

my notes:

section 8

the covenant of forgiveness, the path to genuine reconciliation

luke 17:3-4  esv 

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him."

return

When someone admits his fault and renounces it  proverbs 28:13  niv84 , forgiveness takes on the added form of an understanding or covenant  amos 3:3  nkjv . Whether this is spoken in a casual, "I’m sorry." "It’s ok." way or in a more formal "I confess that I…and I will never do it again. Please, forgive me." "I forgive you." manner  hosea 14:1-2  esv ; essential to this understanding towards genuine reconciliation is the genuine confession and renouncement  job 34:31-33  nlt   jeremiah 3:13  esv  and reaffirmation of true love  ii corinthians 2:6-8  esv . When these have authentically taken place, you have agreed together to reconcile. You the offended have agreed to forgive. So be careful not to "resolve" a matter before it is truly resolved (See Reconciliation Study).

in forgiveness, we should purpose to:

-NOT bring the matter up again to the other person

-NOT bring the matter up to others

-NOT dwell on it in your own mind  psalm 103:12  esv   isaiah 43:25  esv 

-TO love by praying, thinking, speaking and acting in the best interest of the other  colossians 3:12-14  esv 

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

proverbs 28:13  niv84 

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

return

amos 3:3  nkjv 

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

return

hosea 14:1-2  esv 

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good..."

return

job 34:31-33  nlt 

"Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

"Must God tailor His justice to your demands? But you have rejected Him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

return

jeremiah 3:13  esv 

Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God...

return

ii corinthians 2:6-8  esv 

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

return

psalm 103:12  esv 

as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

return

isaiah 43:25  esv 

"I, I am He Who blots out your transgressions for My Own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

return

colossians 3:12-14  esv 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

return

Exception to the NOTs- There may be times when someone has a pattern of sin that needs to be confronted and disciplined for their sake. The matter is not brought up in an attitude of condemnation or revenge, but rather in a loving concern to the see the sinner become more pleasing to Christ  matthew 7:1-5  esv . Remember, any sin is more of an offense to God than any human  isaiah 42:23-25  esv . We are to restore and build up especially when there has been a covenant made in regards to forgiveness  galatians 6:1  esv   james 5:19-20  esv . Everything we do should not be for ourselves, but for the other’s sake  ii corinthians 12:19  nlt   philippians 2:20-21  esv   i corinthians 10:24  esv .

reference scriptures

matthew 7:1-5  esv 

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

return

my notes:

isaiah 42:23-25  esv 

Who among you will give ear to this, will attend and listen for the time to come? Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against Whom we have sinned, in Whose ways they would not walk, and Whose law they would not obey? So He poured on him the heat of His anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.

return

galatians 6:1  esv 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

return

james 5:19-20  esv 

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

return

ii corinthians 12:19  nlt 

Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.

return

philippians 2:20-21  esv 

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

return

i corinthians 10:24  esv 

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

return

my notes:

Erringly, in hopes of restoring a relationship without embarrassment and with ease we are often quick to simply say, "Its ok.", and then try to pretend nothing happened. Then all parties have a hard time finding true peace with each other because no one seems sure of the state and foundation of the relationship. Forgiveness is working for what’s best for the other. So, for the sake of the offender, when uncertainty and lack of proof remains of one’s sincerity of repentance then room for evidence  ii corinthians 7:11  esv   ii corinthians 9:13  nlt  and making amends  luke 19:8  nlt  must be given so the relationship can be truly restored. Forgiveness in this situation is actually giving space and even tests for another to prove to himself, others and even you that the repentance is genuine  ii corinthians 8:8  esv   genesis 42-45 .

reference scriptures

ii corinthians 7:11  esv 

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

return

ii corinthians 9:13  nlt 

As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.

return

luke 19:8  nlt 

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"

return

ii corinthians 8:8  esv 

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

return

section 9

ii corinthians 7:12  esv 

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

return

Reconciliation is not really about making the wrong issue right, repayments or even healing the wounds of the hurt, but it is all about relationship. When offended you must remember that it is about our relationship with the Lord and each other far more than just getting repaid or having the wrong one get his due. It is always about blessing the other  philippians 2:3  csb   i corinthians 10:24  esv , for one should put up with any offense for Christ’s sake  ii corinthians 12:10  esv   philippians 1:29  esv  and love for others  ii corinthians 2:10  esv   i corinthians 9:12  niv84   ii timothy 2:10  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

 

philippians 2:3   csb 

class="scripture">  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

return

i corinthians 10:24  esv 

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

return

ii corinthians 12:10  esv 

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

return

philippians 1:29  esv 

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake...

return

ii corinthians 2:10  esv 

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ...

return

i corinthians 9:12   niv84 

If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

return

ii timothy 2:10  esv 

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

return

section 10

proverbs 20:6  niv84 

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

return

psalm 118:8  niv84 

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

return

my notes:

Don’t confuse forgiveness with trust. People can’t be fully trusted EVER, but we can trust the Lord to make known each other’s hearts  i corinthians 4:3-5  csb  so that we can love and have open-hearted relationships if we carefully follow His revealing instructions (i.e.  titus 3:10-11  esv ). Forgiveness is given simply because we are forgiven by Christ  colossians 3:13  esv . Confidence and true reconciliation are built up through tried and tested character  i corinthians 4:2  esv   i timothy 3:10  esv  that has been exhibited over the long haul  proverbs 16:6  esv . Just as the father of the prodigal still waited, watched and longed for reconciliation with his son; the son, being in the wrong, had need of proving to his father and himself  ii corinthians 7:12  esv   jeremiah 17:9-10  esv  that he was repentant for true restoration of the relationship  luke 15:17-24  esv ; hence, why the father let the son come back to him rather than going out and artificially patching their relationship instead of building a new, genuine relationship  matthew 9:16-17  esv .

jump to next section →

reference scriptures

i corinthians 4:3-5  csb 

It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord Who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, Who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

return

titus 3:10-11  esv 

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

return

colossians 3:13  esv 

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

return

corinthians 4:2  esv 

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

return

i timothy 3:10  esv 

And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

return

proverbs 16:6  esv 

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

return

ii corinthians 7:12  esv 

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

return

jeremiah 17:9-10  esv 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

return

luke 15:17-24  esv 

"But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."’

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

return

matthew 9:16-17  esv 

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

return

section 11

ii corinthians 2:6-8  esv 

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

return

Once repentance is clearly being seen  jeremiah 6:14  esv   jeremiah 23:14  esv , if the offended truly has been innocent and forgiving  hosea 7:13  niv84   matthew 23:37  niv84  the whole time then he should have confidence  proverbs 28:1  esv  to not only keep forgiving, but to reaffirm his love.

reference scriptures

jeremiah 6:14  esv 

They have healed the wound of My people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

return

jeremiah 23:14  esv 

But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah."

return

hosea 7:13  niv84 

Woe to them, because they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against Me! I long to redeem them but they speak lies against Me.

return

matthew 23:37  niv84 

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

return

proverbs 28:1  esv 

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

return

notes