DEAD

[Donna McCloud]

Can you forgive a person even though they are dead?

[Donna McCloud]

Dead as in passed.

[Ron Payne]

Goodmorning Donna,
There are more categories to your question.

1. Can you forgive a person even though they are dead?
2. Can you forgive a person when you are dead?
3. Can a person who is dead ask for your forgiveness?

Question 1. Can you forgive a person even though they are dead?
It's a little late, therefore the one to turn to is God. Not to tell Him that you
would like to forgive the person, but to ask God to forgive you for withholding
your forgiveness right until and even after the persons death. I am sure that on the
strength of the Cross God will forgive you.
BUT! Imagine what life would be like, if God had to withhold His forgiveness from
you while you were alive.....?

Question 2. Can you forgive a person when you are dead?
It's far too late. Once you die, you go to your Father and their you will stand
with all your life's baggage, be it good or bad. You will be fortunate in that when these
accusations are made against you, God will point your accusers to the Cross, where Jesus
paid for the penalties you deserved.
BUT! I believe you will lose a certain amount of rewards that you would have gained had you forgiven everyone during your life time and theirs, no matter what they had done to you.

Question 3. Can a person who is dead ask for your forgiveness?No, I believe the die is caste. Whatever they have done against you without asking for your
forgiveness while they were alive is done. Similar to question 2, if they are Christians the same will apply to them as it will be applied to you. BUT! If they are NOT Christians their baggage with which they stand before God will simply be heavier and their sins greater because of their rejection of God's mercy through His Son Jesus Christ. When both of you are dead, to accept their request for forgiveness will not belong to you. God alone will be the supreme Judge.

MY advice to all is, if you have the need to forgive someone. DO IT NOW! If you have let it slide and the person has passed on without you forgiving them? GO TO GOD NOW! Ask Him to forgive you for withholding your own forgiveness while God has forgiven you for so much.
Your Brother and Friend in Christ - Ron.

[Donna McCloud]

Dear Brother Ron,
I read your advice and I wouldn't like it if GOD held back his forgiveness from me. I will do what I can to correct the situation. Thank You!

[journeymanhd]

Part of the process of healing is grieving. Forgiving is a choice you need to look at making if you plan on moving forward in your life. I'm not saying that you should condone what was done or not done. But, the bad feelings we have when we have been wronged are like a poison. The only person the hate or anger hurt is yourself. Sometimes people hang on to anger or hatred like it is an old coat. You know, we believe the story we have been telling ourselves about the "wrong " thats been done is ours. So we own every part of it. We carry it around here and there. We tell others all about it. The story starts to become part of us and part of who we are. Believe me I have met some wonderful people who had horrible things happen to them in their lives. But, when they finally were able to forgive. They poured out their tears and it is as if God's holy light shined from them afterwards to bring forth who they really are in Jesus.
We become afraid if we forgive we will be diminished somehow. One of my favorite sayings is "To err is Human, to forgive Divine". We as Christians are called to be like Jesus. Jesus gave his life so that we would be forgiven. It is a great honor to God for us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. It doesn't matter if the person is gone. You need to forgive. Become one step closer to who God Made you to be.
May God Bless you
journeymanhd913

[ActualMaureen]

Forgiveness is about your heart... it really has nothing to do with the other person! If you are still harboring ill feelings toward someone who is no longer on this earth, it is still important to resolve it, before it becomes a root of bitterness in your heart! May I suggest writing a letter? "Dear ____, If you were here today, this is what I would like to tell you:" God Bless You!

[Donna McCloud]

Thank you Rick. I'm trying very hard to forgive. My stomach hurts everytime I dwell on it. So I'm getting the message. Anyway I read that if you forgive many faults will be overlooked.