What a great topic!

I've always contended that there's a difference between asking forgiveness and giving an apology.

The thing about forgiveness is we don' t have to give it unless the person asks for it, just like with God, He doesn't forgive those who don't ask for His forgiveness.

Of course it's best for us to go ahead and forgive others quickly, so that we don't harbor ill feelings which can develop into anger and hatred and grudge-holding. It's really for our own good to let it go.

I have often wondered about the concept of forgiving one's self for healing. Often, it isn't something forgiveness is needed, as somewhere guilt was laid down where it really wasn't "guilt" if you follow my thinking.

But, if the guilty feelings are there, would it help to ask oneself to forgive oneself, thereby completing the requirement? Wouldn't that action give our minds the ability to better forgive, because it was asked, rather than to "just" say the words?

I thank God for His mercy daily. Many ppl don't understand the concept of mercy, and how it has nothing to do with the person or what they do or deserve, but is totally about God and His sovereignty.

One reason that God continues to love us, in spite of our being less than perfect is that when we ask His forgiveness, the work on the Cross covers us and our sin. Think of sin as being the color red, and Christ's blood is red; when you place a red filter over a red object, such as in photography, you don't see the red object (such as words)... When God looks at us in that way, he does not see any sin; it is covered by Christ's gift.