Forgiveness:

Forgiveness does not demand retribution (vengeance) for injustice.

Forgiveness is NOT unconditional.

Matt. 6:12; Matt 18:21-35; Acts 8:22-23; Acts 26:18; Luk 17:3-4; 1 Jn 1:9.

Old Testament basis:

2 Chron 7:14

Forgiveness can be unconditional but God does not demand unconditional forgiveness.

Luk 23:34; 2 Tim 4:16

God loves the world but will condemn (pour out his anger/wrath) those who didn't repent (acknowledge their guilt and ask for forgiveness).

John 3:16; Matt 4:17; Luk 7:36-50

Love is not a FEELING but an ACT of your will

Feelings:

Anger
Joy
Compassion

Love:

Doing good (not harm)

Rom 13:10

Is patient and kind

1 Cor 13:4 cf. Rom 2:4; Rom 12:19-20

Thus: “Love your enemy (one that has wronged you/did you injustice)” means having to do good to them even while you are angry at them for the injustice done to you.

Intent of the command:

To offer your enemy the opportunity to repent so that they can be forgiven and relationships be restored to the golden rule (Matt 7:12).

Therefor: Love IS NOT (the same as) Forgiveness

Otherwise God needs to unconditionally forgive all sinners which will grant them eternal life (without faith in Jesus’ atoning death).

Action:

1. God wants to set you free from a burden he didn’t intend for you to carry (i.e. unconditional forgiveness).

Those people you felt you had to forgive but didn’t show remorse for what they have done...

a) Go to them and confront them about it as Matt. 18:15/Lk 17:3 says.

b) Talk to God about them and tell him how you feel.

c) Now let them (it) go and trust God to righteously judge (avenge) them.

2) Think about last week’s message regarding church discipline where people take offence at something someone said or did and then want to leave the church and go to another instead of sorting it out...

a) Search your own heart to see if there isn’t perhaps bitterness there because of some offence you took.

b) Isn’t there maybe rebellion in your heart (refusing to submit to authority and God’s purposes)?

c) Repent and admit it (sin) to God. Ask his forgiveness, and if it is necessary to sort things out between you and someone else (confess), do it.