How many times should we forgive the same person for the same thing? Should we forgive without request or should we wait for the apology? When someone asks forgiveness should we forget and treat him or her as nothing ever happened?
We are to forgive the same way God forgives: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32).
With that said, we must understand that the Bible instructs us how to forgive: Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him (Luke 17:3).
The questions comes, how many times should I forgive him. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but,Until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).
Now here is the difficult part, should we forget and treat them as nothing ever happened? We must always have the spirit of forgiveness (or be ready to forgive anytime someone sins against us). Here is what we need to remember. How far are you willing to go for this relationship? What are you willing to do to help this brother or sister get to Heaven? You and I do not have the ability to read a man’s heart like God, but we do have the power to control how we react to someone asking forgiveness!