It is true that forgiveness must always be unilateral, but restoration, on the other hand, must be conditional upon repentance. However, repentance must be pursued every time a sin has been committed. This is not to say that repentance must be pursued until it is achieved, because in some situations the person who has committed the sin is not repentant. Repentance should always be sought, but when it cannot be achieved, we must let go and let God.

I have used John MacArthur’s book “The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness” for teaching on this subject in my church. The principles laid out in this article are covered in detail there.

The question of the necessity of repentance prior to forgiveness always comes up, and by those usually demanding it before they will forgive. My response comes from our Savior. In order to forgive us He did everything necessary to make my forgiveness possible, include giving His live on the cross to cover the penalty for my sin. His Spirit of forgiveness is show in what He did to make it possible. However, as the sinner I did not experience or receive that forgiveness until I repented, recognizing my sin and acknowledging my need of that forgiveness.

I believe that our actions should be the same. We can unilaterally forgive at anytime. We can confront another’s sin. Each following the principle as John lays them out from Scripture. But, at all times we should be preparing our heart and our responses such that when the offending party does recognize their sin and repents nothing in my heart stands in the way of that forgiveness.

Forgiveness will mean nothing to the offender until he recognizes he needs forgiveness. But the one offended should have the Spirit of Christ in him such that he is willing and ready to forgive when it happens. The one who is not and has not prepared to forgive is much like the forgiven but unforgiving servant in Matthew 18.

I have seen some argue that all forgiveness must be conditional upon repentance, whereas others say forgiveness must always be unilateral. Your points are balanced and express, I believe, the biblical view that sometimes repentance must be pursued and other times we have the obligation (and privilege) to just let it go.

Thanks again!

You asked, “How should I confront a Church and it’s leadership when they are not in direct open sin, but in Accordance with the Romans 14 principle reject me as the weaker brother, for honoring the LORD by conviction of the Scriptures, Spirit and Church History; in NOT taking membership with them as they seek to be one with false teachers?”

They are in direct open sin. To support false teaching is sin. The question is, does the church leadership know that it is false teaching? If they do, then to knowingly support false teaching is clearly unscriptural and you should try to show them what the Bible says about supporting false teaching. If they do not, then you should try to show them why it is false teaching.

I do not know your situation, and you may have already taken these steps, but make sure that they know that you care about them and the direction they go. If you show them the error of their ways and they still refuse to follow scripture, then you must discern whether you can continue to be under their leadership or not.

I am not qualified to respond, William, but I know the One who is, so I will pray for your situation.

Error abounds in so many churches, at so many levels.

Whilst this certainly was not a flagrant and open sin on the part of the Leadership or Church, it certainly has and will lead to compromise of the Church position on Ecumenisism and and the Doctrines of Salvation by Grace through Faith alone.

Albeit the Church is not classed as reformed in doctrine it does hold to the doctrines of grace in teaching and on paper, yet in practice it is open to Ecumnicism, which as we know in the core of it’s beliefes is a Works based salvation friend of Rome and takes immense liberties in twisting Biblical truth essential to a true understanding of Salvation.

Granted that individuals are free to support whom they wish and to work where they believe the LORD leads them as individuals in accord with Romans 14, I am convited by Scripture that there is ample Biblical commands to remain seperated from false teachers and groups who welcome such false teachings.

Yet the difficulty has been that as an Individual believer supported by the Spirit and the Scripture I had come across harshly in my analysis (I exhibit Peter syndrome as John notes “The Apostle with the foot shaped mouth”). But the question is: How should I confront a Church and it’s leadership when they are not in direct open sin, but in Accordance with the Romans 14 principle reject me as the weaker brother, for honoring the LORD by conviction of the Scriptures, Spirit and Church History; in NOT taking membership with them as they seek to be one with false teachers?

I am not sure that there is an direct answer apart from seeting ourselves apart, which we have done, but yet now the practicalities of finding a likeminded Grace confessing and defending Church has been very difficult. Due to a number of physical reasons, which I shall refrain from discussing here.

Difficult decisions in difficult times…
I continue to pray for the Church where we once Fellowshipped and seek reconciliation in the truth. But i this day of apostacy it is hard to draw the lines in even the essential doctrines.

Any thoughts on a Church and it’s leadership abndoning the Doctrines of Scripture when they are not able to discern the errors they are involving themselevs and the LORD’s treasury in?

By grace alone through Faith alone,