[SonOfDarkSkies]

Sorry to interject myself here...

But, actually, no!

That is only one specific pronouncement of Scripture pertaining to what happens when someone "repents".

A Christian is commanded to "forgive" his enemies PERIOD (not just when his enemy repents) if he wants forgiveness from God (and Christians want and need forgiveness on a daily basis.)

Mat 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As has been said upthread in many places, "forgiveness" is not "forgetting"...and it is not done to benefit the one forgiven. It is done to clean hatred out of your heart.

You cannot love God with all your heart if a portion of your heart is devoted to hating another person.

That said, just because you forgive a person doesn't mean you shouldn't defend yourself, your family or your country against the efforts of that person to harm or destroy you.

When God calls you to battle, he does not call you to a state of emotional rage. He calls you to action...and that requires the putting aside of emotion so that your body, mind, and spirit might be focused on the job at hand.

[Quix]

INDEED, SON.

EarthDweller, I strongly encourage you to seek The Lord and

INSURE

that there’s no bitterness lurking in your heart toward anyone.

Bitterness causes many diseases and is a great spiritual as well as relationship trouble.

[Quix]

In my 63 years,

I’ve NEVER observed

unforgiveness

WITHOUT

bitterness.