Isn't repenting sort of a useless, feel good "easy out?"?

Question

In another thread today, someone was complaining about being aggressively cut off by a "<><" festooned minivan, and one of the responders said, and this is quoted:

"Don't get your panties all in a bunch! If they are truly Christians, then it's between them and Jesus.

Maybe they have repented by now."

Excuuuuuse me, but WTF? No, it was NOT between "them and Jesus" . . . it was almost between them and HIS FRONT FENDER!

My real problem with this is that it's NOT an isolated attitude---I've seen identical sentiments expressed in other threads several times just today *alone.*

Does faith in Jesus mean you get to act like a smacktard, can't be called on your crap because it's "between you and Jesus," and escape all consequences or moral responsibility if you just "repent?" Is THAT what Christianity teaches?

Wow. No wonder it's popular. o_O

Answer 1

Yes; it is a lie and a cop out. Nothing but a magical shield from "fairie forest" to hide behind...*tinkle tinkle* (entering the Land of Fantasy, buckle your seat belt)..."Oh, it is all better now, Wonko the salvation Elf forgave me!"

I was that man who was almost "rammed" by the Jesus Road Avengers. I could have died, been crippled, ect...

But that's OK, because they have a mythic Jewish religious god-man with them.

My panties in a wad? I hope it happens to him (I hope it is a "fellow Christian"). He is probably the one wearing panties, judging by how many Christian men are effeminate and obsessed with little boy's genitals. I am not the one who worships some Iron Age myth-man who said marriage was bad, women caused death, and wore flip-flops with a white bath robe in public.

Answer 2

My first observation is that just because someone puts "<><" on their mini van doesn't mean that they are going to behave themselves.
As a Christian, I really get steamed by these idiots who paste the symbols of my faith on their transportation, and then proceed to be rude, crude, and none too shrewd on the road.

Having said that, it seems as if your problem is that you think that Christians are somehow "getting away with" something or other. This is just not true. Christians, just like anyone else, must obey the law. If they do not, God isn't going to sweep in and rescue them from whatever consequences they must pay. If it had been between the minivan and the other guy's front fender, then God would not have helped him pay any of the charges he may have incurred...
No, faith in Jesus has nothing to do with "getting away with" behaving badly. In fact, it has everything to do with doing your very best to behave toward other people just as you would want them to behave toward you, in the same circumstances.
However, we all know that we mess up, sometimes, true?
What Christianity teaches is that we should always strive to do the right thing, but when we do wrong, we should be sorry for it, and try to make amends. That is the best anyone can do, isn't it?

I have to add...while "Christianity" may be "popular", actually following Jesus' teachings is not.
It takes alot of dedication...fierce determination, even...to struggle along behind Jesus on His rough and narrow way.
But it's worth it!!
;-D

Answer 3

no, it's saying people ARE NOT PERFECT, no matter what religion. if you are human, you are going to sin and you're most definately going to screw up. You should be punished for things you do, like stealing=jail, things like that. someone cutting you off in traffic obv had a fit of rage, and there are many different kinds of christians. some need help. christianity does not teach you to be irresponsible for your actions, as a matter of fact it holds you very accountable by allowing things to happen as a result of your free will.
people are held accountable, by all means. however, their personal self, their conscience, needs repentance, to be "right with god," hence asking God to forgive them for what they've done, not the person in front of them they just rear-ended. that's another story. they might want to pray to God someone doesn't come out of their car with a 9mm.

and no, hitler could not go to heaven whilst on his death bed he claims he believes in jesus. you have to make a real change in your life, be COMMITED. that's like saying if an atheist were about to get shot they changed their mind real quick. no, it takes a real commitment, and you have to KNOW jesus, have a RELATIONSHIP with him, not just change your mind at the last minute and claim you believe something you mocked for so long. Don't put words in our mouths.

Answer 4

Repentance is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to face spiritually. It's a complete nightmare. It's about looking into the depths of your soul and seeing the filth, disease and sickness that lie there, and having to admit that it's there because you put all of that garbage there yourself through your voluntary choice to commit sin. It is not a casual thing in any way. In my understanding of repentance, it's all about personal responsibility. You are admitting that you got yourself into the sinful, sickening state that you're in. You can't blame it on anybody else anymore. And then you get to realize that you're too weak to even fix it by yourself, on top of everything else. It's an extremely humbling and painful experience, and is anything but an "easy out".

Answer 5

LOL!!! I can't believe they even used the word "panties"! Isn't it a sin think about panties?

I prefer to think of karma. They will be rewarded in kind eventually.

Yes, Christianity teaches that even Hitler could have been saved on his death bed by "accepting Jesus". So much for justice.

Answer 6

No,it does not mean that.
It means that you treat others as you want to be treated;
you do not keep doing the same thing over and over.
You make a mistake and ask forgiveness and are forgiven, but then you "go and sin no more." Your heart has to be in the right place. Other wise, it is a sham.

Answer 7

No it is not what it teaches and I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with 'Christians'. Repentance is not just saying sorry. It is life changing literally. It's being so sorry that in obedience to Christ you never sin in that way again. There are many true Chrisitans who take repentance very seriously and it makes me sad to see so many bad examples of Christianity on this site.

Answer 8

Did you just call someone a smacktard??

I think the point to the statement is that God will punish them, it's not up to you to play parent and try to teach them a lesson.

I can't wait for my roommate to get home, she has a really cool new nickname! Smacktard...lol...I love it!

Answer 9

it really depends on how you have "repented".

if i say i repent,and i continue to behave like an unbeliever in school, at work or at home, then i have not really repented, and GOD knows it, and His forgiveness, peace and assurance is not with me.

if i say i repent of (i.e., pornography) my sin, and i change, and i make an effort to stop committing that sin, and ultimately come out of it FREE, then i have truly repented, and God's forgiveness, peace and assurance will be with me.

i have seen christians who live their lives like unbelievers, cursing, drinking, smoking, and taking drugs. so, i would understand where you are coming from. you must understand some of these christians need more time to change too. :)

Answer 10

Judge: Defendant, how do you plead?

Defendant: What business is it of yours? It's between me and Jesus!

Judge: Quite right! Case dismissed!

That scenario is scarier than all the devils the Xians can think up.