Pastor Tim Dillmuth says that forgiving based on our feelings is a faulty way to practice Scriptural forgiveness. He says that sometimes our feelings cooperate with forgiveness, but more often they do not. This may happen in cases where you have been greatly hurt or among family members . . . like brother and sister!
If you would like to hear more sermons on Forgiving and Reconciling, visit the VOM Korea Podcast Page!
Pastor Timothy Dillmuth is the Discipleship Pastor of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. He oversees Underground University, a missionary training school for North Korean defectors, and does discipleship training with Christians from all over the world. Pastor Tim received a bachelor's degree from Zion Bible College and an M.Div. from Regent University. He lives with his wife, Melissia and their three children in Seoul, South Korea.
There are times when it does not feel good at all to forgive but we know that our heavenly Father commands us to forgive. That is not to say that we must reconsile or have an ongoing relationship with the person we have forgiven or that we must somehow trust that person. In many cases it would be downright foolishness to try and continue a relationship with or to trust that person again. Forgiveness is about handing that person over to God. There are times when it is prudent to keep a cool distance.
Hi Michael – thanks for reading and commenting! I agree that the consequences of sin are often multifaceted, and forgiveness can be quite complex as well. I wrote a post with a similar thought last year that describes my own person story – https://dotheword.org/2013/08/14/forgiveness-may-be-free-but-its-not-cheap/.
There are times when it does not feel good at all to forgive but we know that our heavenly Father commands us to forgive. That is not to say that we must reconsile or have an ongoing relationship with the person we have forgiven or that we must somehow trust that person. In many cases it would be downright foolishness to try and continue a relationship with or to trust that person again. Forgiveness is about handing that person over to God. There are times when it is prudent to keep a cool distance.
Hi Michael – thanks for reading and commenting! I agree that the consequences of sin are often multifaceted, and forgiveness can be quite complex as well. I wrote a post with a similar thought last year that describes my own person story – https://dotheword.org/2013/08/14/forgiveness-may-be-free-but-its-not-cheap/.