In the parable of the talents, Jesus says that God takes what is not rightly his, and reaps what he didn't sow. The parable ends with the words of Jesus: "bring them [those who preferred not to be ruled by him] hither, and slay them before me." 19:22-27 ...nice jesus
2006-12-03 04:50:50 · 34 answers · asked by marcus n 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As has been ably pointed out already, it is God who forgives, and only He can.
We are enjoined to forgive and to have an attitude of forgiveness for, if we who are desperate sinners have been forgiven by God, how can it be that we are unable to forgive others who sin against us ?
Is it not to show God 's forgiveness is offered to all, to test the genuiness of our belief and to teach us not to be self righteous nor to think more highly of ourselves than we ought ?
These latter qualities I sadly notice overflow in the hostile answers and which are so very strong in the natural man.
As to your twist on the parable, if you want to be an enemy of Jesus, though He graciously offer you peace terms, if you persist, then why should you complain if He slays His enemy ?
2006-12-03 06:15:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Jesus says that God takes what is not rightly his, and reaps what he didn't sow." you said. You're a bit biased to be asking a question.
Everything is rightfully God's and God can reap everything because God's sown everything.
Humans aren't the ones to do the forgiving. God either will or won't do forgive and will decide who is unforgivable, not mankind.
Haven't you ever done something wrong? And if you have wronged somebody else but are truly remorseful and regretful over what you did, it's fair for them to forgive you if they can find it in their heart to do so. If you are unrepentant, why should you be forgiven by those you've wronged? If you are unrepentant, you still bear the guilt of your crime and you would just as quickly do the same thing again.
I have to say, I don't believe that an Atheist who puts every bit of effort in to making the world a truly better place, helping the homeless and those who are vulnerable etc. would go to Hell. I don't care which scripture you quote.
There's that quote:
I am the truth, the life and the way and nobody comes to God but by me.
An Atheist who dedicates their life to doing good without seeking reward or personal gains comes very close to being a Christian - even if they don't really pray or particularly believe there is a God.
Whereas a Christian that does nothing for anybody but themself is a Christian in name only.
When we look at others, we don't see them and the things they do in totality. We can't see the full goodness or evil in another human or the mixture of both.
So many of the "faithful" see fit to appoint themselves as Man Almighty in stead of Man the servant of God.
2006-12-03 05:18:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Marcus - That's a good question. Anyone who asks Christ into their heart becomes "forgiven" - non-believers are not unforgiveABLE, they are just unforgivEN. Forgiveness comes for each individual person by that person asking for it. No matter what a person does in his or her life, forgiveness is always available to them. And to more specifically answer your question - people who profess Christ as their savior (Christians) are not perfect and never will be until they enter eternity. That's why Christians still mess up down here. Down here on earth, we're all still sinful beings even after we accept Christ. The change is that we strive toward perfection for the rest of our lives. Plus, whether or not a Christian would forgive an unbeliever is beside the point - real, eternal forgiveness can only come from God. You could get the entire world populations of Christians to forgive you, but it won't mean anything to you when you are standing before God after you leave this world. And yes, God has made both a heaven and a hell. Those who ask Him for forgiveness enter into heaven, those who do not, go to hell. A lot of people have a problem with that point too - understandably so. How can a supposedly loving God send anyone to hell? Aside from all the mainstream concepts of hell - fire and burning, which could be symbolism - hell is simply eternal separation from your creator. He is a just God - if a person wilfully chooses to live their life without God here on earth, why would God then force that person to spend eternity with Him? Sorry for the long reply - I'll be happy to answer any questions anybody might have. I am a Christian, and I am happy to share with you what I believe without cramming it down your throat. Peace out.
2006-12-03 05:32:46 · answer #3 · answered by yargsewat 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I will forgive ANYONE who has wronged me personally. As for those who have wronged others, it's up to God to forgive them...but in ALL cases, they have to ask for it.
Matthew 18:14
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
As for the parable that you used, think about it this way:
If God gave a person something and they didn't use it, wouldn't He have the right to judge them? That's what the parable is saying.
Jesus isn't saying that line (bring them [those who preferred not to be ruled by him] hither, and slay them before me."). It is still within the parable. Read it again. I have it bookmarked for you.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:22-27%20;&version=31;
You quoted scripture, so here's something to consider:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why did I include that? My point is that it goes hand in hand with the parable. The servant who didn't use his "talent" was punished (death). What he did was a sin.
2006-12-03 05:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most religions are pretty messed up in that regard. The worst thing you can do is not be "one of us". I'm not religious (though my mom tried really hard to make me Catholic). So, unfortunately, I don't believe in an afterlife or anything like that. But if there were one, and there was a horrible place in it you could put all the ***@#$ (rapists, murderers, mimes), I would do it in half a second. You abused a five-year old child but you love Jesus now and you're "really sorry"? An apology? Are you f$@a@#$g kidding me?! Everybody's sorry (wants mercy) when they think they may actually get what they deserve. They'd worship Superman if they thought it would get them out of an eternity broiling in some massive firepit.
Somehow, I just don't think being another religion is that bad a thing (as long as you're not a rapist, murder, claims adjuster...you know an ***@#$). All religions are pretty much the same (well meaning but sadly distorted by crazy people)
The problem right now isn't really a battle of religion (Christianity vs. Judaism vs. Islam). It's more a battle of the blindly self-righteous and stupid (Wackos vs. Fruitcakes vs. Halfwits).
2006-12-03 05:15:43 · answer #5 · answered by Jason C 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1. As already said, God is the one who does the forgiving.
2. Not all rapists, murderers and the like are forgiven, but only those who truly repent. These are a small minority, because once we commit a sin it's easier for us to continue, than to stop. Anyone who struggles against this weakness receives God's help and forgiveness.
3. "non believers are unforgivable" -- no, they are not. They just refuse to admit God as their God, and they have their various reasons: because they think they are smarter than religious people, because they think the Bible is old, because they think commands in the Bible are outdated and so forth.
Now, picture yourself not as God, but as some human authority figure. You are going to build a new kingdom (or city, or whatever you like) and need people of choice to dwell in it. You send teachers in the world to find those people who are worthy to be in it. Very few are worthy, if any, but the teaching can prepare them to be. (And besides, God cleanses those who repent and helps them on their way to sanctity.) Then you find that some people accept the teaching, some don't, but some, although completely ignoring (if not cursing) you, your teachers and your teaching, wonder why you don't let them in your kingdom!
You might say this is discrimination. But I bet your country has immigration laws, doesn't it?
2006-12-04 13:18:01 · answer #6 · answered by todaywiserthanyesterday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a question of loyalty. The man that buried the talent was not loyal to his master. So, how could the master trust him with anything? There is a whole new creation coming. Why should God allow anyone in who is going to spoil it like they have this one? Everyone has the choice to have their slates wiped clean because Jesus has taken the punishment we were due. If they do not accept this, it is their choice, as is the consequences.
2006-12-03 18:11:53 · answer #7 · answered by waycyber 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because many do not know the difference in condoning behavior and forgiveness. i forgive Andrea Yates for what she did. But do not condone it . She is criminally insane and need to be in a place where she cannot hurt anyone else. Let Jesus work out the rest of the forgiveness plan for Ms. Yates.
2006-12-03 04:57:10 · answer #8 · answered by copestir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never understood all the religious contradictions, none of it makes any sense to me. Like you say, this is a classic example of how screwed up it is and it's scary to think people believe in whatever they're told - if the bible said we should all jump off cliffs would we do it? If believers did I'd have to say it was a case of 'natural selection' saving the people with logical brains.
2006-12-03 04:57:50 · answer #9 · answered by Katie D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Marcus, my friend.....it is not important what human Christians do or don't do. It is only important what God does and can do for you if you will only accept what He is offering. Only God can forgive trespasses because His Son Jesus paid the price for your and everyone elses forgiveness. Take your eyes off fallable humans and look to the one infallable God. He can best answer all your questions.
2006-12-03 05:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by Chef Bob 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋