Board Thread:Bible Questions/@comment-1777104-20160102164923

SouthWriter wrote: So, what you are saying that making the offer facilitates the rebel to go the wrong way. If there was only one way to go, then everyone would get to the same place if they continued forward. However, they would end up in the wrong place if they turned and went the other direction -- and that happens a lot.

Death in the end is not ceasing to exist, at least not according to the Bible. One day, at Judgment day, accounts will be settled. When that happens, no one will pass the test on their own. Many will have had the test taken for them, for they have been adopted into the king's family, their "names written in the book of life ". It is all about love for the family. If that is immoral to you, then so be it. I cannot change your mind, but I can pray that God will do so.

As for "sacrifices are for bigger problems," you are exactly right. The Bible states that we all have a very big problem: we are at war with God. As His enemies we are not going to be on His side. And, alas, He will win! Believers are told to pray, "forgive us our debts, even as you have forgiven our debts." Elsewhere, those "debts" are described as "trespasses." That is the kind of forgiveness that makes a difference.

As for a "everyday" problem -- like someone showing you disrespect -- the forgiveness you have in mind is not the same as the bigger problem of rebellion against God. Jesus told a parable about that, in which a servant is forgiven of a very large, literally unpayable, debt, only to go out and beat up a fellow servant for a manageable debt. In the end, that does not work out well to the first servant !

It was not without purpose that the Pharisees were mad at Jesus when he forgave the sins of others, for that is indeed something only God can do. That kind of 'forgiveness' is beyond mortal man. So, yes, it is expected for you to forgive your neighbors and friends of wrongs committed against you. But you cannot forgive them for sins committed against others -- especially not for sins against God.

If you would like, we can begin a new string in the Forum. It can be on morality, or on forgiveness, or even on "good works."

Ok, but I certainly wouldn't allow myself to be killed JUST so I could forgive them, and why can't you forgive them for offending others? It's just as easy as forgiving them for what they do to you. Sacrifices aren't for everyday problems. I can forgive somebody without an ultimatum, can you? To make it short, forgiveness isn't rocket science.


 * Here is the last post from Superdadsuper's wall. Moving on to a further discussion on the nature of forgiveness. 