Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Forgiveness -- Definition

Forgiveness
Part 2 -- Definition

It's good near the beginning of a discussion to define terms. 

Dictionary.com defines "forgive" this way:
verb (used with object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.
1.
to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
2.
to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
3.
to grant pardon to (a person).
4.
to cease to feel resentment against:
to forgive one's enemies.
5.
to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:
to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
verb (used without object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.
6.
to pardon an offense or an offender.

 Strong's Concordance offers these alternate ways to translate the Hebrew and Greek words
Forgive --to let go, give up a debt, to remit,to take, take away, carry off,


 To look further into Biblical words for forgive, try here.

nasa 

aphiemi 

But in practical terms, what does it mean to forgive?

When we are harmed by someone, we need to let go of anger and not hold anything against that person.
 Easier said that done, more often than not, but very freeing.

Check out these blogs and articles for more on defining forgiveness.


The Positive Way: Forgiveness as the Key to the Future
Family Life: What it Means to Forgive
About Religion: What is Forgiveness?
Nichols State University Counseling Center: What Does it Mean to Forgive?

We'll discuss the practical aspects of forgiving in the posts ahead. I'll be aiming for Tuesdays and Fridays for this series.

How do you define forgiveness?



Part one of this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes




Post six for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Hope you'll forgive me for being a day behind!

4 comments:

  1. In my opinion, to forgive is to let go of the hurts, leave all matters in God's hand, and love the offender as Christ does. One of my favorite quotes about forgiveness is: "Whenever I see myself before God and realize something of what my blessed Lord has done for me at Calvary, I am ready to forgive anybody anything. I cannot withhold it. I do not even want to withhold it." (Martin Lloyd Jones) Another favorite one is by Jerry Bridges, "The person who is living by grace sees this vast contrast between his own sins against God and the offenses of others against him. He forgives others because he himself has been so graciously forgiven. He realizes that, by receiving God's forgiveness through Christ, he has forfeited the right to be offended when others hurt him."

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    1. I love that definitions.. leaving things in God's hands. Great quotes, too, Thanks!

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  2. I'm so excited to find so many blogs focused on Christ and God during this season of blogging! There are some GREAT songs out on forgiveness right now. You might want to include one in your post. I find that music really speaks to some people.

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    1. Thanks! What's your favorite song on forgiveness? Might make a good "Song for Sunday."

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