WHEN Should Christians Forgive?

The tragic and most recent church shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC has once again, caused immeasurable pain, grief and loss to family members and congregants locally and sympathy and an enormous amount of support, comfort and prayers from churches across the nation. In media interviews among Christians and church-goers regarding the tragic deaths of nine members have brought the topic of forgiveness to the forefront. In order to deal with the pain and loss of losing a loved one, bereaved families and friends of the deceased have openly expressed forgiveness to the assailant, believing that is what Jesus would desire us to do. To the utter shock and amazement to the world, this kind of display is unheard of and is causing many who are not Christians, to scratch their heads in bewilderment and awe.

Christians are to love and pray for their enemies (Matt. 5:44). But is loving our enemies equivalent to forgiving them - even when they have not asked to be forgiven? 

WHEN should Christians forgive? Should we forgive regardless to what happens to us? Or are there conditions revealed in Scripture, that must occur before forgiveness is granted?

Pastor & Author of "Unpacking Forgiveness", Chris Brauns is our guest and will answer these and other questions from a biblical perspective.

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