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I was asked an interesting question the other day, and I'm asking the pastors here to think about it with me:

If someone whom you haven't seen for a long time (and I mean 15 years or more) had sinned against you during the time they were in your life, and they came to you now, and asked you to forgive them - and you, yourself, are genuinely at the place where, after all this time, saying "I forgive you" would have the same meaning as reading the ingredients of a box of cereal to them - how do you respond to the request? To put it another way - Shouldn't saying "I forgive you" mean something to you as well as to the other party?



Jim

It never means the same to each party. That is just the nature of being different individuals at different places in life. Just because it does not mean the same to the forgiver, does not mean it should not be granted for the sake of the forgiven. Our Father has done something which we simply cannot comprehend, yet it has been done. At least that is my initial response to your query.

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In addition to what Rick has said, I believe that any Christian would/should care enough about the individual asking forgiveness that conveying forgiveness to them (in word and deed) would carry enough meaning personally all by itself.

If they come after 15 or more years it is obviously something that is weighing upon thier heart and possibly being used by the adversary to drag them down both spiritually and emotionally. Why wouldn't any believer rejoice in the opportunity to release someone from such bondage and reflect to them what Christ is to us?

Further IAW the Lord's model prayer Matthew 6:12 we are to forgive in the same way that we wish to be forgiven. I wonder if our requests would be met with any such non-chalance from our Savior?

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Randy
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I can relate to this personally. In Jr High School (about 25 years ago) I had my own personal bully...she even slapped me around. Recently I received a friend request from this girl on facebook. I accepted and she sent me a very long message about how wrong she was in high school and could I find it in my heart to forgive her for all the nasty things she both did and said to me. To be perfectly honest I wasn't sure what to say because I had forgotten all about her in the years that had passed. So I did what I thought was best...prayed So I took the time to write a heartfelt acceptance letter with the gospel thrown in. I forgave her and told her I had prayed and asked God to fully and abdundantly bless her and her household So by all means no matter how long ago or how far away it seems, forgiveness should be given and given with joy!

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Brother JimR : Shalom to all , Brothers Antipater and RTCrudgi , and sister Jennifer Dent have given excellant responces to your 15 year old question ... !!! ... Forgiveness is our free will choice to release our love from God to others and ourselves ... the Will of God ... Blessings to all from Mount Zion ... Glory to God through Christ ...amen shalom bye !!!...

I'd tell them the truth. I appreciate their courage in asking for forgiveness. I suspect it was difficult. I have long sense forgotten the offense.

Josh Hunt