I have been trying to sort this out Scripturally, and would like to get input from Christians on how these two concepts differ and/or overlap. Please be liberal with Scriptures to support statements. I think there may be others who are trying to figure this out for themselves, too. I think thoroughly understanding this is going to keep me from "getting my back up" as much, both on the forum and in my personal life, leading to more peace.
The way I have it sorted so far is:
You can ask for and receive forgiveness, but it is not necessarily required. Forgiveness need not be asked for by those who wrong us, but must be freely given in order to be freely received. (Matthew 6:9-15; 9:1-8; 18:23-35; 26:26-30; Mark 3:28-29; 11:25)
There seems to be a limit when it comes to Holy Spirit. (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29)
Forgiveness is tied to love, as though the degree of forgiveness indicates the degree of love. (Luke 7:47-50)
The initial gifting of the Holy Spirit was for forgiveness of the sins of others. (John 20:22-23)
Everyone who puts faith in Jesus gets forgiveness of their sins, but there seems to be a number of other ways forgiveness can come, as well. (Acts 10:43)
Grace is what insists that all offenses be forgiven, the degree of grace determining degree of forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7)
God has once for all times forgiven us through the blood of Jesus, so that there is no longer a need for anyone to sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:18 and context)
Holding our sins against ourselves prevents the operation of grace and prevents forgiveness, we hold it to our own account. We have the power to choose whether we will let sin rule. (John 20:22-23; Romans 3:21-31; 6:12-14)
Grace is essential to forgiveness, like love is essential to forgiveness, but grace seems to exceed even love in its power to forgive sins. (Romans 5:18-21)
Letting sin master us prevents grace, love, and forgiveness but it is entirely our choice. Grace, love, and forgiveness wait for us to throw of sin's mastery. (Romans 6:16)
Grace and the truth replaced the Law of Moses. (John 1:14-18)
Receiving grace is required for salvation. (Acts 15:11)
Grace motivates the free gift of declaration of righteousness, an additional complement to release from sins through the ransom. (Romans 3:23-24)
Outward works are not required to be declared righteous by grace, in fact, grace cannot be earned. (Romans 4:4-5; 11:5-6)
Faith is the means by which we enter into a state of grace. (Romans 5:1-2)
Grace far surpasses the sin of the one man, Adam. The price was not paid for the sins of only one man, but for the sins of all mankind, past, present, and future. (Romans 5:15-21)
While sin results in death, sinlessness does not result in life. Declaration of righteousness results in life. This only happens by grace. (Romans 5:1-2; Romans 6:21-23)
I think that last one is the one that screws up the thinking of so many JWs on this point. JWs teach that if you don't sin you get life, but the Bible does not teach that. The Bible does not teach that Adam and Eve would have lived forever if they did not eat the fruit. It teaches that they would die if they did eat the fruit. They were never declared righteous for life.
To me, this is good news. I have enjoyed researching the subject out, but I would like the input of others on the point.
Respectfully,
AuldSoul