Well, if we surely know, then it should be easy for you to explain what you believe forgiveness without repentance to be.
Personally, I think it should be called by a different name, since true forgiveness is conditional upon repentance.
However, I am well acquainted with the fact that many people define “forgiveness” differently—not only different from the way I define it, but different from the way others who believe one can forgive without the repentance of the offender. So I can’t make sense of your “surely we know” statement.
Here are three different understandings of forgiveness without repentance that I have encountered, and I know that there are even more.
- Forget the offense; let it go.
- Let go of your ill feelings toward the offender.
- Do not require the offender to “pay” for his offense, or to try to make up for it in any way.
None of these is the Biblical meaning. I still think Jesus’ words indicate that forgiveness is conditional upon repentance. He said, “If your brother sins against you rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” He didn’t add, “And if he doesn’t repent, forgive him anyway.”