timmopussycat
Puritan Board Junior
Also...I have a problem with scripture saying if I don't forgive others, I won't be forgiven. Things happened decades ago. I was grievously wronged. I don't care to re-visit the situation. Why would anyone be required to do over and above what God Himself will not do...like on Judgment Day. I'm NOT bigger than He!
I agree that one does not need to reconcile with one who has sinned against me and is not repentant.
But Christ has commanded that if you don't forgive others you won't be forgiven. Because God has forgiven you much more than the "grievous wrong" you mention, Christ expects you to forgive that wrong out of the experience of having received the greater forgiveness yourself. (Matt. 18:23 - 35)
This does not get the other person "home scot free" or "off the hook". God is just, the judge of all the earth will do right, and that sin or series of sins WILL be judged. Either that person will pay the penalty or Christ will but in the meantime you are not meant to carry the burden of the sin which you will if you do not forgive it. And carrying unforgiveness is experienced by an unforgiving Christian whether the person concerned is a brother or not. So I don't think we are allowed not to forgive if a pagan sins against us.