Former location of "The Kingdom of the Heavens" blog, written by an incurable fool who is trying to become a holy fool!
When I have offended another believer, I must seek reconciliation quickly, before they have had time to form a final judgment against me and form a grudge. I must not procrastinate. Once a grudge forms, I will be imprisoned outside of their lives, unable to give or receive the things God wants to give us through each other, unless and until God intervenes to change their heart toward me.
Preliminary outline of two series dealing with mutual imprisonment by unforgiveness, God’s goal of reconciliation, and praying for those who don’t want my prayers using constructive, New Testament prayers.
A God who Speaks, Changed treatment of each other, choosing not to forgive, Confession and Repentance, Confession of Sin, Discipline or Correction, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God Speaks to Us, God's Existence and Nature, God's purpose for us, His Friends, In prayer, In the Church, Leaving Our First Love, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, patience, Quarrels, Reconciliation, refusal to repent, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, The universal Church and local churches, To be his ambassadors, To bear fruit, To live in unity, What is sin?
The New Testament uses a number of different words to describe sin, its causes and its effects, in the context of confession, repentance and forgiveness. These words are not synonyms, and distinguishing them is important to understanding many of the contexts in which they are used.