What forgiveness is (P.2): forgive with all your heart (21 reasons).

Sabah el-khir brother! नमस्कार (namaskār) sister! Happy Pentecost! Remain in the love of CHRIST and no one will be able to steal yourhelp.vimony. Remember that authority isn't just for casting out demons, it's also for establishing. It's in your interest to understand the difference between the Word and the words of GOD (the Bible, Logos, Dabar, Emeth, Rhema, Aletheia and Amen). Some debates only exist because we are ignorant. GOD speaks in His Word, through His Word and within the limits of His Word.  "When this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter that comes to you from Laodicea." (Colossians 4:16, LSG)

🙂 If you haven't yet read the articles on what forgiveness is not and on the right to complain, I urge you to do so before reading this article.

Partie 1

1. The different words for forgiveness in the Bible

2. What forgiveness is Partie 2

3. Forgive from the heart (with all your heart), 70 times 7

4. Why forgive (21 reasons)

5. Leave vengeance and retribution to GOD

6. The consequences of not forgiving Partie 3

7. How to forgive: yourself and others

8. Be at peace with GOD

❖ JESUS said, "FATHER, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided his garments among them, casting lots. " (Luke 23:34, LSG)

❖ "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as GOD forgave you in CHRIST." (Ephesians 4:32, LSG)

❖ "Bear with one another, and if any of you has cause for complaint against another, forgive one another. Just as CHRIST forgave you, forgive one another" Colossians 3:13 (Segond 21).

❖ "Therefore, renounce lying, and let each of you speak the truth to his neighbor; for we are members one of another. If you are angry, do not sin; let not the sun go down on your anger, and do not give access to the devil." (Ephesians 4: 25-27, LSG)

❖ "Then Peter came to him and said, 'LORD, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Will it be up to seven times?  JESUS said to him: I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to 70 times 7 times." (Matthew 18: 21-22, Segond 21)

" Then the master sent for the servant and said to him: 'You wicked servant, I forgave you your debt in full because you begged me to do so. Shouldn't you also have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master, angry, handed him over to the executioners until he had paid everything he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat you, if each of you does not forgive his brother with all his heart." (Matthew 18:32-35, Segond 21)

3. Forgive from the heart / with all your heart, 70 times 7

In French, we say forgive from the heart, forgive willingly (with a good heart, sincerely, without bad intention) or forgive with all your heart. In the original (Greek) version, it is written "to forgive from the heart" and not "to forgive with all your heart" (Matthew 18:32-35). In the French and Spanish translations, the expression "to forgive from the heart" is translated as "to forgive with all your heart " (Matthew 18:35). This is not the case in the English, German, Italian, and Portuguese translations. I don't know why the French-speaking translators made this choice.

In the original version (in Greek), it is written "to forgive from the heart" and not "to forgive with all the heart" (Matthew 18:32-35). In the French and Spanish translations, the expression "pardonner de son cœur" is translated as "to forgive with all one's heart" (Matthew 18:35). This is not the case in English, German, Italian and Portuguese translations.  I don't know why the French translators made this choice. 

It is well written that nothing should be added to or subtracted from the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:2, Ecclesiastes 3:14). All the more so when it comes to the words of GOD (words spoken by GOD himself, the FATHER, the JESUS or the HOLY SPIRIT). That said, the FATHER and the JESUS themselves use the expression "with all his heart"  in Bible verses (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:22:37, Mark 12:30, Deuteronomy 10:12, etc.).

A reminder: Forgiveness is not denial. Forgiveness is not oblivion. Forgiveness does not cancel out GOD's judgment, CHRIST's tribunal and the duty to repent. Forgiveness does not approve evil. Forgiveness does not cancel the right and duty to protect (to complain, to distance oneself, to defend oneself). Forgiveness is neither healing, nor restoration of the soul. Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Forgiveness is not a feeling.  Forgiveness is not an obligation. Forgiveness is a decision.

To forgive with all one's heart means :

• forgive wholeheartedly, sincerely, voluntarily, without coercion.

• Forgive without reservation, without doubting GOD (his love, his ability to heal, restore and judge)

• Forgive completely, unconditionally, without expecting anything in return (don't confuse forgiveness with reconciliation).

• Forgive without resentment (without animosity), with good feelins towards GOD and mankind.

• Forgive despite the circumstances (forgiveness is a decision).

To forgive 70 times 7 means to forgive continually, without tiring of forgiving. In other words, forgiving all offenses.

It's very difficult to "Forgive with all your heart, 70 times 7 a day" without GOD's help. I don't even think it's possible without GOD's help.

Some people confuse "forgiving wholeheartedly" with "soul healing" and "soul restoration". As we have seen, forgiveness is a decision. Healing and restoration are processes: sequences of actions (us) and interventions (GOD) carried out to achieve a result (healing, restoration, prevention). Processes can be miraculous, long, fast, accelerated, slowed down, completed or unfinished. The more we grow in communion, understanding of the Word, faith in the Word and obedience, the faster the healing and restoration. To apologize is to express regret.  Asking forgiveness is the first step towards repentance and eventual reconciliation.

4. Why forgive (21 reasons)

There are different answers to this question. I don't know if one is better than the others. But I do know that from one context to another, from one season to another, or from one offense to another, one will be more appropriate than another.

Out of ignorance and/or pride, some people offend and hurt when they teach about forgiveness. Forgiveness is certainly a decision, but it has never been said to be an easy one. As we saw in The Soul: Wounds, not all offenses are alike.  Some wounds are light, some are deep and some are serious. So there isn't one reason to forgive, but many. The challenge will be to identify your reason. Don't feel guilty if you can't forgive. Ask GOD to help you, and he will.

The list below is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. You can personalize it and, above all, add to it. It's an exercise I like to give to the people I work with.

Nous devons pardonner :

1. Because forgiveness is an act of love towards GOD, ourselves and others (John 3:16, John 13:34-35,1 John 4:19, Luke 23:34, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32).
   

2. Because GOD has already proven that he loves us. Asking us to forgive doesn't mean he doesn't love us, or that he ignores our pain. Nor does it mean that he loves us any less than those who have offended us (Jeremiah 31:3).
   

3. Because we remember that GOD has forgiven and reconciled us in CHRIST. (Isaiah 43:25, Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 17:4).

4. Because we remember that we and our loved ones need GOD's mercy.

5. Because forgiveness is an act of humility.
   

6. Because forgiveness is a commandment from the LORD. To forgive is to obey GOD. (Psalm 119:11, Matthew 7:1-2, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 18:32-35).

7. Because we will never forget that we have received the Gospel, because those who have gone before us have forgiven and stood firm (JESUS, Stephen, Paul and the heroes of the faith...).
   

8. Because we don't want to give the devil access to our lives and our families (Ephesians 4:25-27, Psalms 4:4, James 1:19-20). His goal is to lead us into confusion, error, sin and downfall.

9. Because sin is the devil's nature. He uses people, circumstances and our ignorance to steal, slaughter and destroy (John 8:44, John 10:10,1 John 3:7-10).

10. Because evil cannot conquer evil (Romans 12:20-21). We don't want to be like those who have offended us.

11. Because guilt is not of GOD. What GOD wants is your repentance. Forgive yourself (2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
    

12. Because GOD is gracious to whomever he chooses. He shows mercy to whom he will.  He hardens whom he will (Romans 9:17-18).

13. Because vengeance and retribution are GOD's (Galatians 6:7-9, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30, James 4:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Ezekiel 18:21-24, Romans 8:1, Psalms 89:14-18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19: 17-18, 2 Timothy 4:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 4:6, Isaiah 59:16-18).

14. Because we know what forgiveness is not (see the series on what forgiveness is not). Forgiveness is not denial. Forgiveness is not oblivion. Forgiveness does not cancel out GOD's judgment, CHRIST's tribunal and the duty to repent. Forgiveness does not approve evil, nor does it cancel the right and duty to protect (to complain, to distance oneself, to defend oneself). Forgiveness is neither healing nor restoration of the soul. Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Forgiveness is not a feeling.  Forgiveness is not an obligation. Forgiveness is a decision.

15. Because GOD is the rewarder of those who seek him and those who obey him (Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 11:6).
    

16. Because forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. Forgiveness frees you from the offender. ⇒  Healing frees you from the offense. ⇒  Restoration frees you from the consequences (direct and collateral) of the offense. Healing focuses on the effects of the offense on you (your soul). Restoration deals with the consequences the offense has had on your life. See  article Healing the soul (P.2). Forgiveness enables us to make a fresh start, to turn the page, to build or rebuild on healthy foundations.
    

17. Because forgiveness is possible, we are created in the image and likeness of GOD, who is Love, Truth and Holiness (Genesis 1:26-27, Ephesians 4:24, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
    

18. Because nothing can separate us from the Love of GOD manifested in JESUS CHRIST (Romans 8:28-35, 1 Corinthians 10:13).  There are things from which GOD saves us, others from which he preserves us and others from which he makes us triumph.

19. Because wounds, offenses, tribulations and persecutions must never make us forget that GOD is good and just, that he has good plans for our lives and that he makes all things work together for the good of those who cling to him.

20. Because we are ambassadors for CHRIST. He is our model. What would he have done in our place?

21. Because forgiveness makes us better. The best version of you allows GOD to amplify what he can do through you. The best version of ourselves makes us better, if not contributes to making everything about us better. Americans have a great way of saying it: "A better you, is a better us".
    

** नमस्कार (namaskār) = Salute in Marathi (India)

** Sabah ul kheyr (صباح الخير) = Good morning in literary Arabic.

** Sabah el-khir (pronounced sbahlrir) = Good morning in Algerian Arabic.

** As salamou aleykoum (السٌَلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ)  = Good morning (Peace be upon you) in literary Arabic.