Hi Brad,
I am glad you brought this point up.  I have heard of too many ministries
who make God out to be this spineless lovy-dovey blob that will let everyone
do anything, and require absolutely nothing from them.  This is truly a
perversion of the gospel.  I think most
Christians would be totally shocked if they would ever do a complete study
on all the if's and buts in the bible.  They would see that after Jesus
reveals himself to us, forgives our sins, etc. there are some requirements
that The Lord requires of all his people.  I'm not talking about
self-imposed works, I am talking about biblical requirements.
Vinny
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad D" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 5:50 AM
Subject: Conditional forgiveness??


> "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
> forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will
> your Father forgive your trespasses."-- Matthew 6:14-15
>
> This Jesus taught his disciples, believers, not those who opposed his
> message; purpose;  and existence. These words just after instructing them
> how to pray, and continued after these verses to instruct them on conduct
> and attitudes. Despite what we've come to know as "The Lord's Prayer"
> stating "and forgive us our trespass as we forgive those who trespass
> against us", Jesus felt that precept needing to be blatantly noted after
> the prayer. We indeed find freedom in forgiving others, but as with  the
> message of the Word, "it is not about us", it in this case is about giving
> grace to others, just as we've received grace unto ourselves. God knows
> that we have enough trouble with that concept, that he holds our
> forgiveness randsome. This indeed sounds conditional to me.
>
> Brad
>