I have some Christian acquaintances who will hurt someone by spreading rumors, insulting them, or embarrassing them in public. They will then ask God for forgiveness, without so much as apologizing to the person that they hurt. When I asked them about this, they seemed to be of the opinion that gaining the forgiveness of God was more important than gaining the forgiveness of the people that they hurt. Is this a standard Christian belief, or do most Christians believe differently?
2007-11-12 15:00:18 · 18 answers · asked by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus answered this question in Matthew chapter 5.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
If a person remembers that he has sinned against someone, he is to face the one he sinned and make it right. He is actually to leave the presence of God to do so.
2007-11-12 15:46:22 · answer #1 · answered by Steve Husting 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your "Christian acquaintances" are not correct. There is a parable (Parable = a story used to make a point clear) in the book of Matthew about a servant who owed his boss some money, (about $10,000). The boss was ready to be repaid, and if the servant couldn't come up with the cash, the boss didn't have any trouble at all selling the servant, his wife and his children into slavery. The servant begged and pleaded for more time, and the boss relented. He forgave the debt completely and let the servant go his way.
The servant ran into one of his buddies, who owed him about $1.00. The servant grabbed this fellow and demanded payment, and when the friend couldn't come up with the money, the servant had him thrown in jail. News of this got back to the boss, who was so disturbed that he had the servant arrested and thrown into jail!
The parable ends with the warning, God will do this to you if you can't forgive others.
Another section of the Bible instructs Christians that if they bring their offering to the altar (at that time, offering a sacrifice on the altar was an acceptable way to worship God) and suddenly remember that a brother has a conflict with him; he should leave the offering at the altar, go and find the other person and settle the conflict, and only then return to the altar.
So your "friends" have it wrong.
2007-11-12 23:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by another_guy_named_steve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they know that it is a sin, then they shouldn't continue doing so, knowing that you will be forgiven right after; Christians should try to avoid sinning.
Maybe they think that it is not as important because God always forgives, but the Bible teaches that you must ask for forgiveness from other people as well; you are forgiven by God like you forgive other people. The difference here is that when you ask for forgiveness from someone, they may not always forgive. If they do not forgive, the situation is between that person and God.
2007-11-12 23:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is totally against The standard in which I live by .The word says that if we have an ought in our heart and wish to offer a gift to God then we are to leave our gift at the alter go find our the person that you have the ought with make things right with them then come offer your .So you see When we as Christians behave in such away that is not pleasing God He says get it right First then come to Him .And futhermore The word also says that if we dont forgive others He (GOD) will not forgive us.I hope most of us believe differently.Best Wishes.>>
2007-11-12 23:17:33 · answer #4 · answered by Man of Arms 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!! That is abusing the gift of Salvation, by thinking they are all set if they just ask for forgiveness from God. It is also against one of the things Jesus asks of ALL CHRISTIANS and that is to forgive others because He first forgave us. No, I am sorry that they gave you that impression by their own actions and words.
2007-11-12 23:24:37 · answer #5 · answered by MICHAEL C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is not the standard Christian belief. The right thing to do would be both, apologize to the person and go to confession.
2007-11-12 23:04:19 · answer #6 · answered by Monika 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A person should be responsible for their actions, it doesn't matter what religion you are. I'm a Christian, but I can't just say "Sorry God" if I said something mean to somebody. You're supposed to go and make amends with the person if you can. People that do what you are describing get on my nerves.
2007-11-12 23:03:29 · answer #7 · answered by Lobster 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is not the kind of behaviour God condones, He expects us to make it up to people we have hurt.
eg
Zaccheus paid back four time the amount that he had stolen from people.
Jesus told us that if we knew that someone had something against us we should make an attempt to make it right with them (whether it is our fault or not) before we bring gifts to God. (It is up to the person to decide if they will accept our olive branch...)
Someone who habitually gossips and spreads rumours about people is taking Christs name in vain ie. they are calling themselves a Christian but not acting as Christ would have us act. They put themselves in danger of hellfire, gossipers are one of the types of people listed in the book of Revelation as not being in Heaven.
2007-11-12 23:17:37 · answer #8 · answered by CatKween 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Think your Suppose to go to that Bro. or Sis.
and Tell them that they Offended you.
About Rumors:
Go up on a high hill and Take a Feather Pillow and tear it Open and Throw them Feathers into Wind!!
Then, go out and Try to Pick them Feathers (All of them) Back Up.
That is what a Rumor is Like.
2007-11-12 23:12:42 · answer #9 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe differently because the Word says:
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
2007-11-12 23:09:55 · answer #10 · answered by Molly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋