Quote:
Originally Posted by james73
Interesting question. The easy answer (easy to write from a place with less than one or two gun deaths per year) is, there is no line. In theory, we should let the law handle the machine-gunner, but we need to keep loving the guy, still accept him, forgive him 77 times 7 or whatever that number was...and I don't mean, his 540th victim or rampage we say, OK, that's enough, you crossed a line buddy, you're out! 77 times 7 is pretty much infinite forgiveness, no matter what.
I'm aware it's very easy to preach forgiveness when the crime is remote from you, or hypothetical. Still, I believe it's a powerful message and one which can also prevent us becoming too judgmental.
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I agree we should always forgive (even if the person doesn't repent) and we should always accept a brother back into fellowship after they repent.
But what if they continue to sin against others and refuse to repent? Should we still fellowship with them as a brother? In the case you brought up, the brother is asking for Peter's forgiveness, implying that he repented.
Luke 17:4
and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘
I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
I believe there's a difference between forgiveness, which means to cancel all the debt the person owes you (and is necessary to remove bitterness from our soul), and actually receiving someone as a brother if they haven't repented of a heinous ongoing sin.