I have been reading about forgiveness lately. A lot of people are confused about what forgiveness means. When you forgive someone does that mean you are always completely reconciled with them? What if they are unrepentant? For example, if someone beats you up, you would forgive them if they were genuinely convicted and sorry, asking your forgivness and assuring you they wont do it again. But would that mean you necessarily be friends with them?
Is forgiveness letting go of records of wrongs, not holding a grudge, but would it be wise to engage with someone who continues to be harmful and abusive.
If so, how is that forgiveness?
So this is where I believe mercy and grace come in. Mercy and grace are similar, but there is a difference. They are two kinds of forgiveness.
Grace involves a change of heart. Grace is what Jesus gives us, for its His presence that works in our lives. Grace never gives a licence to sin, it gives us time to make it right.
Mercy I believe, is when God spares us the consequences of our actions, but it does not necessarily mean reconciliation. Mercy is what Our Father gives us, it can get us to a point where grace can begin, it can let go of whatever we or others did wrong, but we cant live in mercy all the time. Mercy allows us to move on, perhaps, wheras grace enables us to stay there.
What are your thoughts on mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What does scripture say?
Is forgiveness letting go of records of wrongs, not holding a grudge, but would it be wise to engage with someone who continues to be harmful and abusive.
If so, how is that forgiveness?
So this is where I believe mercy and grace come in. Mercy and grace are similar, but there is a difference. They are two kinds of forgiveness.
Grace involves a change of heart. Grace is what Jesus gives us, for its His presence that works in our lives. Grace never gives a licence to sin, it gives us time to make it right.
Mercy I believe, is when God spares us the consequences of our actions, but it does not necessarily mean reconciliation. Mercy is what Our Father gives us, it can get us to a point where grace can begin, it can let go of whatever we or others did wrong, but we cant live in mercy all the time. Mercy allows us to move on, perhaps, wheras grace enables us to stay there.
What are your thoughts on mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What does scripture say?