20 Among them [who have shipwrecked their faith] are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. -I Timothy 1:20, NIV Is the Apostle Paul bitter here? He names names. And he talks about literally handing them to Satan. That doesn’t sound very “forgiving.” I point this out … Continue reading “Handed to Satan?”
Category: Forgiveness
DM Book Sale!
For a limited time, I have dropped prices on my book. Currently, I have dropped the paperback prices from $12.99 to $8.99. The eBook is now only $3.99 from its regular price of $7.99. As you purchase books, read, and share the ideas in the book, you are helping spread these much needed ideas. The … Continue reading “DM Book Sale!”
Mailbag: Forgiveness Question
Hi, I have a question about forgiveness. Its clear in the scriptures that God doesn’t forgive unless a human repents, and repentance means to feel deep remorse AND stop the sin and go the other way. My X wife remains in her adulterous relationship. I believe that a human divorce does not make her relationship … Continue reading “Mailbag: Forgiveness Question”
Forgiveness as a test of faith in Jesus
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. -Psalm 18:6b-7, NIV Can I trust God with my hurt? I think the answer to this question answering the question of whether or not I can forgive someone … Continue reading “Forgiveness as a test of faith in Jesus”
Quote from expert on sexual abuse
“The perpetrator must say the crime out loud; acknowledge how his actions have impacted his victim; empathize with her; feel profound remorse; and do ‘extensive work’ to understand what made him commit the crime.” -Eve Ensler on what a real apology is regarding sexual abuse Want to know if a cheater is truly sincere in … Continue reading “Quote from expert on sexual abuse”
Gratitude (or lack thereof) is very telling!
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” -Luke 7:47, NIV The amount of gratitude ought to match the amount forgiven. This is one lesson I take from Jesus’ teaching in this verse. And it is an important spiritual lesson … Continue reading “Gratitude (or lack thereof) is very telling!”
An Active Ongoing Choice
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…. -Proverbs 23:7a, KJV Forgiving an enemy is hard work. It is hard to interrupt the ruminations on revenge. The thought gets going and builds steam until it consumes your emotional well-being. This is not good. Why give an enemy so much power over our emotional … Continue reading “An Active Ongoing Choice”
You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. -I Peter 3:18a, NLT You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven. This is a paradoxical truth about forgiveness. Both are true. You have truly forgiven your cheater. However, … Continue reading “You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven.”
Towards fixing Protestantism’s failings on forgiveness and supporting adultery victims
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. -Job 2:13, KJV Protestantism is big on sin and forgiveness. Emphasis on sin and forgiveness is pervasive through evangelical teaching and preaching. That is … Continue reading “Towards fixing Protestantism’s failings on forgiveness and supporting adultery victims”
Forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of wrong
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -I John 1:9, KJV What good is forgiveness to someone who does not think he or she did anything wrong? It is worthless. They are not in bondage to a conscience warning them … Continue reading “Forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of wrong”