“Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
-Matthew 16:4, NLT
On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”
-Jonah 3:4, NLT
Was Jesus being “unforgiving” towards the Pharisees and Sadducees? Was God towards Nineveh?
We must come back to an understanding of forgiveness that recognizes the primary place repentance takes in the matter. God did not forgive and show mercy to the Ninevehites without their repentance (see Jonah 3).
Jesus, Himself, references this story in Matthew. The sign of Jonah–I believe–is the message he delivered of coming judgment. That doesn’t sound very forgiving!
Some Cheaters need to receive that same message of judgment!
If they keep on the path of adultery, God will judge them (see Hebrews 10:26-27). God does not mess around with people who are hard towards Him and unwilling to forsake their sin.
I wished my “Christian” counselors had understood all of this.
They knew of an emotional affair admitted to by my (now) ex-wife. However, they did not take that seriously. They failed to give her the sign of Jonah.
The danger is real. Cheaters might think otherwise and may even use God’s name in vain to “justify” their sins. That does not change the reality that their souls are in jeopardy.
An gift not received does the recipient no good.
Any sinner has to repent in order to receive the gift of forgiveness. Repentance is required in order to even see forgiveness as a gift. Without repentance, forgiveness is not complete for them. They are unforgiven at their own choice.
