This is a conversation that a friend (who is Christian) and I were discussing one day. So I thought I would throw it out here to see what responses I would get. It has to do with forgiveness.
Hypothetically...Someone murders your parents. They are caught. Prior to a trial date...the murderer claims to have found God and asked for his forgiveness. When you see the murderer for the first time at the trial with this knowledge, do you forgive them? I'm not just talking "It's nice that he found God." I'm talking about COMPLETE forgiveness because the event led him to God.
My point in the conversation is that I find it a "conveinience" that many people go out and do whatever...then pull the "God will forgive me" card. By the way...my friend actually said he wouldn't care what the murderer claimed to have found...he would want his butt on a platter! Just curious...
2007-09-18 11:25:05 · 9 answers · asked by Arachstorm 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I only forgive those who make honest mistakes.
I don't forgive intentional acts of violence or abuse.
2007-09-18 11:31:43 · answer #1 · answered by Mystine G 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If a person has truly repented, I should forgive them. Why? Because Jesus asked me to, and I love Him and desire to do as He asks of me. Not only because He requests it, because of what it does for me, spiritually, to forgive.
If a person is using the "I will be forgiven" excuse lightly, thinking mere lip service (not true, heartfelt repentance) will excuse their sin, that is something that God will deal with. Whether one has repented or not, I am to forgive, always.
By the way, I do know this is not easy to do in such a circumstance as you described. I have found that being obedient to God, when it is difficult and/or looks impossible, reaps benefits I could never have imagined.
2007-09-18 18:36:17 · answer #2 · answered by Esther 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think forgiveness, on a personal level, is for the forgiver,
not the forgiven. I believe that they may have found god, but
since Murder is one of the sins that can't be repented of,
it's up to God after that. I'm with you, though, a lot of "sinners" go ahead and sin, and then say that they have found god in prison, or wherever, and want to be forgiven by society and victims. I believe they should pay the price meted out by the justice system - because they will certainly be judged in the hereafter for their sins against God.
2007-09-18 18:33:35 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly T 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because we are not God we can not comprehend God's forgiveness of such a horrible thing. It would be between the person who commited the crime and God. Only God knows that persons heart. If we don't forgive then it will torment us forever. I think we all fight that every day one way or another. Because I am a Christian I believe that God forgives everything as long as someone asks and is truly sorry for what they did.
2007-09-18 18:33:35 · answer #4 · answered by Debbie P 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
While I am a believer, I don't think I have reached the spiritual level necessary to forgive the murderer of a loved one.
2007-09-18 18:29:39 · answer #5 · answered by monte54que 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Personally I would forgive the person, but not the act........The power to forgive belongs to each of us to use or not, as we choose...I forgive because I can, not because I must. Whether the other person has or finds a belief in a Higher Power does not concern me. If they do happen to find a path by which they can learn to forgive themselves and others I hope it enriches their life.
2007-09-18 18:31:26 · answer #6 · answered by cautious 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Why would my willingness to forgive someone have anything to do with whether or not they believe in any gods?
2007-09-18 18:29:45 · answer #7 · answered by wondermus 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No...I would only forgive him if he felt genuine guilt and sorrow and regretted doing it. Acceptance of God is irrelevant in that tapestry.
2007-09-18 18:31:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
It doesn't matter what "they" do. If you cannot forgive then you will not be forgiven.
2007-09-18 18:30:33 · answer #9 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋