Bible Study Seattle

“And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:22-23 NIV

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

How do we square these two scriptures? One is general, the other specific. The Church will be given positions to judge:

“Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:8 NIV

If a person won’t forgive under any circumstances, the heavenly Father also will not forgive them. But the Church will be given discernment during Jesus’ thousand-year reign. They will be able to tell when forgiveness isn’t genuine. In that case fake repentance will Not be forgiven. They will not be granted the right to eat from the trees of like in Israel.

“Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14 WEB