tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096696136024576011.post530039463893828805..comments2024-02-28T07:57:08.325-07:00Comments on Faith, Grace, and Hope: Lenten Reflection 1Pastor Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483149432826000955noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096696136024576011.post-46893043778715071242009-03-06T11:38:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:38:00.000-07:00I do believe that we can be forgiven by God even i...I do believe that we can be forgiven by God even if we have not, cannot or will not forgive. If God withholds forgiveness until we have forgiven, (1) we'll never be forgiven and (2) that gives us the power, rather than the power resting with God. <BR/><BR/>We love because we have first been loved. And we are able to forgive in any capacity because we have first been forgiven. That's the message of the cross. We cannot ever fully appreciate all that we have been forgiven. More particularly, we cannot comprehend at all that we have been forgiven until we attempt to forgive those around us. <BR/><BR/>With regard to situations in which it seems impossible to forgive, consider Psalm 137. It takes a long time to release that kind of hurt and anger. And it's only through the healing message of redemption and forgiveness of the cross that any of us will have the strength to do so.Pastor Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01483149432826000955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096696136024576011.post-50562634395868266912009-03-06T11:31:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:31:00.000-07:00Do you believe we can be forgiven by God if we hav...Do you believe we can be forgiven by God if we haven't or can't forgive? Is that what is meant by "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us..."?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com