I can forgive a child molester for molesting my child, but I would be a poor steward indeed if I continued to allow my child to associate with that person. That is why repentance is required. The change must be a godly, righteous change. But even then, in this case, I would think that any association would wait until the eternities.
Forgiveness for past offenses is fine. Putting your hand on the hot stove a second time (when the stove is still hot) is stupid. Jon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Noel B" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 3:14 PM Subject: RE: [ZION] Forgiveness of Serious Sins by Individual Members > >You can forgive someone and never associate with them again. > > Can one's forgiveness be truly tested if there is no longer any > association with the offender? True forgiveness is marked by the ability > to show love and compassion in the face of hurt or offense. > > Just a thought... > Noel > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Jon Spencer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 2:47 PM > >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Subject: Re: [ZION] Forgiveness of Serious Sins by Individual Members > > > > > >NO! it is up to the Lord whom he will forgive. But as for > >you (and me), it is a commandment that we must forgive, or we > >are guilty of the greater sin. > > > >Of course, what do you mean by "forgive?" Without going into > >a long rambling statement, you can forgive someone without > >exposing yourself to risk in the future. You can forgive > >someone and never associate with them again. Forgive does not > >mean that something did not happen. > > > >Forgiveness does not depend upon repentance on the part of the > >offender. Your future association with them may, however. > > > >Jon > > > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: "Stacy Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 11:50 PM > >Subject: [ZION] Forgiveness of Serious Sins by Individual Members > > > > > >> Is it all right to make forgiveness of serious sins > >conditional? For > >> example, "I'll forgive you if you are willing to join this church." > >> > >> Stacy. > > //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // > /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// > /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// > //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// / > > > ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
