Do you demonstrate 1/2 forgiveness? 2 Samuel 10-14

2 Samuel 14:23-24 (NASBStr)

So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. However the king said, “Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face.” So Absalom turned to his own house and did not see the king’s face.

The above passage is taken out of a long story of a feud between King David and his son, Absalom.   A few years earlier Absalom's half-brother, Ammon, was lustfully seeking his half-sister and Absalom's sister, "Tamar."    Ammon could not contain himself and, in a plot of deceit and lust, raped his half-sister.   Even though Kind David knew this about his sons and Tamar, he did nothing.  This very much frustrated Absalom.  He felt no justice by David, both his father AND the King.   (David was supposed to exact justice as the authority in the land.  Just as he had been unjust with Urriah and had him killed, he acted unjust with Tamar and Absalom.).    Absalom took matters into his own hands and killed Ammon.   He then flees Jerusalem in hiding.  This, too, brought a grieving attitude by David, but no action.    Finally, convinced by his top military leader, Joab, David allows Absalom to return to Jerusalem.  BUT, David doesn't do anything with Absalom.  He allows him to return but has no contact or fellowship with him.   Here we have an example of 1/2 forgiveness.   He allows him to return but he DOES NOT show any actions of forgiveness toward him.   Verbal forgiveness is not real forgiveness.   God does tell us to "say" we forgive someone.  God tells us to demonstrate the actions of forgiveness.   God does not simply say, "I forgive you," to us when we sin.   He does the actions of forgiveness, by sending His Son to the cross to "pay" for our sin.   When we forgive it must come with the actions of forgiveness not the words or just attitude of forgiveness.   Words and attitude are necessary, but empty without actions.   It took two years for David to bring Absalom into his presence.   That was two years of empty forgiveness.  This will hurt David latter as Absalom attempts to steal away the kingdom later.   The lack of true forgiveness not only displeases God, it will cost you in your relationships later.