Forgiveness conditional or unconditional – is repentance required?
Forgiveness – is it conditional or unconditional?
Forgiveness, is it conditional or unconditional? In other words, does forgiveness require repentance or not? It is a question that has caused confusion and controversy for some. In this short post we will try to clear up that confusion. Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. Therefore, it is very important for us to have an accurate understanding of true Biblical forgiveness.
Forgiveness is Conditional
There are those who preach and teach forgiveness is conditional. They argue before forgiveness can be given there must be genuine repentance. Two key verses used to support this argument are;
- Luke 17:3-4, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
- 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Both these verses include the word “if”. If you repent, if you confess, then forgiveness is given.
Forgiveness is Unconditional
Then, there are those who preach and teach forgiveness is UNCONDTIIONAL. They argue that forgiveness is not conditional upon repentance, but rather is based on love and obedience. Two key verses used to support this position are;
- Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
- Matthew 6:15, “. . . but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”
These are the words of Jesus and His command for us to forgive appear to have no conditions. There are no “if” statements.
Both positions at first seem to have merit and strong scriptural support. So, is forgiveness conditional or unconditional? Which is correct? Both are. Let me explain.
Two Sides of Forgiveness
The confusion and problem comes in misunderstanding the difference between offering someone forgiveness and someone receiving forgiveness. There are always two parties involved in the process of forgiveness – one who is extending forgiveness and one who is being forgiven. In other words, there are two sides of the coin. The answer to our question depends on which side of the coin we are talking about.
Two Contexts of Forgiveness
Before explaining the answer to the question there is one more important thing for us to understand. There are two contexts of forgiveness:
1. God’s forgiveness extended to us and us receiving God’s forgiveness.
2. Forgiveness given by us to others and forgiveness we receive from others.
Unconditional Forgiveness for the Giver
In both contexts of forgiveness, the one extending, offering, giving forgiveness is to do so without any conditions.
God’s forgiveness towards us is based on His love for us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God has forgiven us based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Forgiveness has been provided once and for all – past, present, future. (Hebrews 10) God’s forgiveness toward us is unconditional.
We are to offer forgiveness to others unconditionally. We are to forgive those who have wronged us the same way God has forgiven us. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Harboring unforgiveness leads to bitterness and hatred. Our forgiving others is based on our choice not on the other persons actions.
Conditional Forgiveness for the Receiver
While the one offering forgiveness does so without condition, for the person to receive the benefit and power of forgiveness in their life there are conditions.
Receiving God’s Forgiveness
- For the Lost. For an unbeliever to receive God’s forgiveness and become a child of God a person must believe in their heart and confess Jesus as their Lord. (Romans 10:10). They must repent. While God has forgiven, not everyone receives that forgiveness and therefore not all are reconciled with God (i.e., universalism); only those who repent and believe in Jesus are forgiven of their sin. (Acts 2:38)
- For the Believer – to receive God’s forgiveness for sins as a child of God we are to confess them to God. This means recognizing we have missed it and telling God. (1John 1:9) Then we receive the fruit of that forgiveness.
Receiving Man’s Forgiveness
- Even if a person has forgiven us it is important for us to apologize and reconcile with the person, we have wronged – (if at all possible, it maybe the person has passed away or there maybe some other circumstance that make it impossible or unwise to meet or talk with the person/s). It is only after repenting we receive the benefit and power of the forgiveness that has been given us. The person forgiving us releases the power of forgiveness in their life. Our asking for their forgiveness release the power of forgiveness in our life.
- Even if a person doesn’t forgive us, we will receive the power of forgiveness in our life through our act of repentance. (James 5:16)
While there are other elements and clarifications to the full understanding of Biblical forgiveness if we will apply these principles in our life we will walk in peace with God and with others. The entire Christian message revolves around the forgiveness of God through the cross of Christ and our giving and asking for forgiveness when and wherever it is needed.