<p>3:13<em> F</em><i>orbearing one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as<em> the Lord forgave you, so also forgive- </em></i>He forgives us on account of our status in Christ, forgiving therefore without demanding specific repentance for every sin. And we are to operate a similar policy with others in Christ. This is the force of the little word &quot;As...&quot;. Forgiveness without requiring repentance frees us from so much legalism and bearing of records of wrongs against others. Every &quot;complaint&quot; needs to be gone into, and a judgment reached as to whether the event really happened, or happened as the aggrieved party says it did; and whether there has been real repentance. And there is no ultimate ombudsman or judge on earth who can reach the ultimate truth of the situations. Every judge and jury, within or outside the church, formal or informal, will decide differently. In many cases, mitigating or unconsidered factors will keep on coming out of the woodwork. All this is a recipe for interpersonal strife and division. To forgive without demanding repentance, including forgiving perceived issues, is the way to peace and harmony, both within ourselves and within the believing community.</p>