Answer:
You must forgive others who have wronged you before you can be forgiven (by God) for your wrongdoing (sins).
Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 18:21
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.

I'm not splitting hairs but did you catch the key word? (Brother)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?

The Greek word "Brother" also is translated as "Believer" ... In other words a Brother in Christ.

The Controversy...

Must the other person ask me to forgive them? This is widely argued by theologians.

In my opinion: Yes - The offender must REPENT and ASK forgiveness.- according to Luke Chapter 17 Vs. 3 - Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

At the bottom of the page this link is repeated.... GREAT LINK on forgiveness!

I Know This...

If you don't forgive those who have sinned against you - even though they did not repent and ask forgiveness - it is very probable that you will suffer some health problems. If you carry around a grudge it will stress your immune system to the point you can develop everything from cancer to a common cold. THAT'S A FACT!

Spiritually speaking, I believe non-forgiveness can and will hinder your ability to communicate in the Spirit with God. In other words you won't get as many (if any) prayers answered when you have a grudge in your heart against someone. You just can't "get in the Spirit" as readily.

Is This Subject Being Properly Handled By Our Teachers Of The Faith?

I DON'T THINK SO!

I for one have carried around a load of guilt. I want to live according to God's word and this is an area that I can't always make a decision to forgive... and accomplish.

I have a question for (more advanced than I am) students of the scriptures:
When Jesus drove the money changers and merchants from the temple ~ Did he ask them to forgive him?
After all, as far as those merchants were concerned, when Jesus bodily threw them out, they probably felt that he had wronged them.

I can imagine some of the answers I will get. Somebody will undoubtedly mention the fact that they were most assuredly sinning against God by turning his temple into a "den of thieves". In other words they were wrong... therefore, Jesus did not need to be forgiven (by the merchants) because he was not wrong. Although the merchants were probably sure he had wronged them.

Keep that thought in mind... When a thieving, cheating, greedy, demonic person steals your business, your life, destroys the well-being and future of your children... are you obligated to smile, turn the other cheek and forgive him? Even when he never asked forgiveness? There are those who say, "You must forgive him/her or live in sin." Somebody who knows more than I... help me out here!

Just like the merchants in the Temple... they did not believe they had done any wrong... WELL... If that demonic person who wronged you does not believe he/she has done any wrong... what is there to forgive? He/She will never ask your forgiveness. Is that person spiritually ignorant of right and wrong and not held responsible for the sin against you? Makes no difference whether or not that person has been born-again, you bear the burden and it can destroy you. They are hell-bound, they wronged you unmercifully and you carry the burden!

PLEASE! After you finish this page check out this GREAT LINK on forgiveness!

There's Something Here I Don't Understand...

It's true, God's word says we must forgive other people in order for him to forgive us of our sins...

My question is this... At what point should the forgiveness begin? Suppose you come home to find two burglars raping your teen-aged daughter and you see that they have just killed your wife. Are you supposed to forgive these two rotten, rapist, killers? If so, when do you forgive them? Do you immediately begin to forgive them and let them finish raping your daughter? Remember, you can see your wife's lifeless, bloody body on the floor.

Do you shoot them (you have a gun) or do you just forgive them and send them on their way? You know what I would do and I'm sure you would do the same thing. Well... you get the idea... This is extreme but I'm making a point.

Does God Hold Us Responsible...

For something we can not achieve? If you have prayed for the ability to forgive, you've tried to forgive but deep down you still have not been able to. Will God hold you responsible for something that has been unachievable for you? I don't know... I welcome your comments.

Why Doesn't God Forgive Satan And The Fallen Angels?

This question is strictly to encourage thought ~ I know ~ and you should know that we lack understanding and we should never question God or imply he is wrong! He is all-knowing and we are foolish mortals who are still arguing over whether or not to smoke cigarettes! Get the idea?

It is scriptural that God will cast Satan and his fallen angels into hell for eternal punishment and suffering.

Yes, folks! there's plenty here I don't understand. Let's say the person who sinned against you reflects the nature of Satan. Let's assume you are a saved Christian who reflects the nature of God. Are we still required to turn the other cheek and let this son of hell destroy you? You represent God's nature and they represent Satan's nature...????

Clearly ~ I don't have the answer. Maybe that's why Jesus said: " I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." (John 3. 3)

I am inclined to believe you don't have the right to forgive a person who has not repented - that may even be a sin against G-d - - to misuse your authority in this manner may be a sin. There is more evidence suggesting that the sinner must be rebuked - even excommunicated if he/she does not make restitution and repent.

Maybe some things are understood only with the help of the Holy Spirit and faith. There are many (seemingly) controversial lessons in the bible. I have heard the argument that there are none. I have found many. I believe it is a matter of (degrees) of understanding on the part of the writer as well as the reader. Because one thing is for sure... and you can take it to the bank... GOD IS NOT WRONG! Take the great book as an entire lesson and don't try to pick it apart. Man has had a role to play in the writing, translation and printing of God's word, therefore the finite mechanics may be flawed but not the lesson or intent.

For instance: Paul thought Jesus was going to return in his (Paul's) lifetime. Does that mean since Paul was wrong about that fact that he was wrong about the lessons he taught from Jesus? No.

Just keep on praying and asking, even though we don't fully understand. When you ask forgiveness from God for the inability to forgive someone... know that our sins are forgiven by the act of God's Son Jesus... If we truly have a repenting heart.

Anybody have any ideas? Do you know something that will help understanding? Do you have a question or story for discussion? Let me hear from you.

Check out this GREAT LINK on forgiveness!

Another GREAT LINK by Dennis Prager