Quote:
Originally Posted by Nell
Trapped,
This also is the gospel:
Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Obviously the burden of being shunned by someone you loved and trusted does not lie on you. Those who shun you should be rebuked. If they repent, forgiven. If they don’t repent, they bear the consequences of their offenses toward the little ones. As I said, this is also the gospel.
Nell
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Yes, I've wrestled with forgiveness for quite some time, and have come to a similar understanding. The local church is ALLLLL about putting pressure on the person who has been sinned against to "cover, take life, forgive, don't lose the enjoyment of the Lord by allowing the root of bitterness to take hold", while putting absolutely no pressure on the person who offended you to do anything about the offense!! I've come to realize just how unbalanced it is, as well as how harmful.