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    Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet
    Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet
    Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet
    Ebook75 pages44 minutes

    Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet

    By Ethan E. Harris

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    About this ebook

    In this book, we delve into the complexities of forgiveness and repentance, exploring their fundamental roles in healing relationships that have been damaged, often in the name of religion. We acknowledge the existence of obligations in the process of repairing broken relationships, especially in cases where one party wrongs the other.

    Through a closer examination of the scriptures, the reader will gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities involved in fostering godly love and restoring relationships. The book is not just limited to addressing major conflicts like church splits and charges of heresy, but also encompasses the smaller, everyday disagreements that can detract from the bonds of love and friendship.

    The ultimate goal of this book is to equip readers with the knowledge and tools needed to repair relationships and promote healing, in the spirit of love and forgiveness.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEthan E. Harris
    Release dateDec 20, 2013
    ISBN9781311564672
    Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet
    Author

    Ethan E. Harris

    Ethan E. Harris graduated from Corban University in Salem, OR with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and studied at Reformed Theological Seminary. He completed the Educational graduate program at the University of Kansas where he received his Curriculum and Instruction degree in December, 2011. He is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, a Bronze Star recipient and was an Army Medic for 13 years.With extensive travel throughout the United States, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, the Bahamas and Hawaii, his multicultural experiences give him a greater depth of knowledge and humility of many peoples and lifestyles. He has a keen interest in languages having studied Greek, French and Cherokee.He lives in San Antonio, TX, with his wife and six children.

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      Book preview

      Conditional Forgiveness - Ethan E. Harris

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      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      The Model

      Wronged, Rebuked, Redressed, Reconciled

      Definitions:

      Sin

      Rebuke

      Repentance

      Forgiveness

      The Argument:

      Rebuke

      Repentance First (before forgiveness)

      The Nature of Forgiveness

      The Act of Forgiving (it’s a spirit of love)

      Objections

      Conclusion

      Works Cited

      Endnotes

      Index

      About the Author

      Introduction

      If a person does you wrong and does not repent, you don’t have to forgive them. And you shouldn't. I know many people may be tempted to shout at this page whether out loud or in their minds, saying Are you nuts? The Bible tells us to forgive everyone unconditionally, slamming the book down on the nearest hard surface never to pick it up again.

      If you still find a need to grow agitated, I completely understand after reading a few pages, please know that was actually my first reaction when a friend mentioned the idea to me. If you are offended at the suggestion and simply will not read any further, I apologize for creating that response in you. I really do. My goal is not to offend, but to present the Biblical portrait of true repentance and forgiveness and the relation between the two teachings.

      I am convinced that with a better understanding of the obligations due in the process of repentance and forgiveness, we will be better equipped to deal with the breaks in fellowship that plague our families, communities, our churches and ultimately our society.

      Yes, I used the word obligation. Scripture hands out obligations when it comes to our sinning against each other, whether willfully or accidentally. Both parties in the wronged vs. wrong-ee situation have a certain set of responsibilities that they must, in order to maintain godly love in our lives, fulfill.

      That is the purpose of this book: A better understanding of repentance and forgiveness will inevitably lead to the healing of unnecessary fractures that we have created, and unfortunately, we have many times done so in the name of Christ. And yes, this also has implications and applications for church splits, charges of heresy in our midst, but most importantly, those little quibbles we often love to have with one another.

      But why is this so important? There are other issues of guilt and suffering, grudges and hatred, broken marriages and complete breakdowns of many churches due to the often inadequate understanding of the Biblical formula of repentance and forgiveness. These are serious issues and should not be pushed into the realm of pseudo-science or pop-psychology to cure. We must take charge of our own body, the community of faith, and with God’s instruction, work on reconciling ourselves to one another. And we must do so even when we still disagree on the differences separating us.

      But what is the will of God and why should we care what the Biblical teaching has to say? In short, the will of God means to follow after His wisdom. But what is His wisdom? It is His self-disclosure of His desires. It is what we ought to pursue. This is a moral distinction and does not give us the answers to the next winning lottery ticket, nor does the will of God expressly tell us who to marry.

      In answer to caring what the Bible teaches on the subject, it goes to the heart of being called a Christian. In John chapter 15, by describing that behind God’s commandments is the idea that the joy of Christ may remain in us. Other passages speak to the idea that Scripture is necessary for rebuke, reproof and the correction of the believer, but this particular chapter, John 15, tells us the all the commands of God are designed for joy for all those who are considered friends of Christ. Also, from Psalm 199:97-104, we find that the Scriptural teaching is the wisdom of God which makes us wise. It is not a spiritual checklist by which we may enter the grace of God, but it is the very mind of God by which we may understand His character. To do that, we must know the written will of God.

      Doing the will of God, contrary to popular writing, does not necessarily result in our own health and welfare. Our physical, temporal comfort may

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