the controversial christian

What if They Didn’t Repent?

So the Bible says in Luke, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”  Well here’s a question: what if they haven’t repented?  What if they don’t take any accountability for what they’ve done? What if they’ve said “I’m sorry” but their actions clearly don’t reflect that apology?  Yes, the Bible says over and over to forgive, but why does it say, “..IF he repent?”  “IF” is a pretty key word, wouldn’t you agree? Does that mean God gives us the choice on whether or not we can forgive someone?

I like to think I know God and I also like to think I know the Bible and I believe whether or not someone repents we should forgive them.  Obviously this is easier said than done (otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this) but the truth is God wants us to live abundant, successful lives and the hindrance of bitterness in the back (or front) of your mind can not possibly give you the spiritual gasoline to get ahead in life and be prosperous. 

Bitterness, like pride, can be a silent killer.  You may think you’re over a situation or an event but the truth is forgiveness can require doing it over and over again with no promising end.  Trust me, I know. While I believe that Jesus was adamant about forgiveness, there are some essential things to remember when giving forgiveness your best shot that might give you the push you need to finally let it go.

 

            People reap what they sow – God is a just and faithful God and no bad deed goes unpunished—and that goes for all of us!  While we shouldn’t wish ill on anyone, it’s important to remember that God takes care of business where reaping and sowing goes.  If you plant roses, you will grow roses.  If you plant deceit, adultery, or arrogance, that’s what will grow.  We may not always see the reaping process in another’s life and we shouldn’t have to, but we need to remember God means what he says.

 

            He who angers you controls you – Wrongdoing happens to all of us—in fact, who can say they haven’t been the cause of wrongdoing to a loved one?  Not moving on from a past situation or person who has wronged you doesn’t affect anyone but you.  Who needs that?  Once we have come to grips with the fact that they will reap what they’ve sown—besides the fact that we are COMMANDED to pray for them—we need to ask God to help us let that situation or person go so they don’t control the rest of our lives.

 

            It could’ve been you – I hate to admit this one, but it’s true.  We are all made up of the same flesh, thus we are all capable of all sins.  I tend not to realize I think I’m better than people when I say to myself, “I would NEVER do something like that.”  God always shows me that that is a boisterous, prideful way to think.  Anyone that finds themselves saying that will probably—no, definitely—be humbled soon after.  We are all human and all capable of hurting others, thus we should remember this when the shoe is on the other foot.

I heard it said recently, “Reality is a product of our dreams, decisions, and actions.” That applies to all of us! A person’s reality is a product of their own choices, which should give you the comfort of knowing that terrible deed a person did will not go unpunished, but it should also remind you that your unforgiving mindset will bring about negative outcomes in your own reality as well.

I say all this to say that I have bad news:  If they didn’t repent, we should still forgive them.  Tweet the press.