Forgiving. Surely a limit even for Christians?

punkofnice

OK. So I admit I'm stumped. I left the JWs and became Christian and have been going through bouts of atheism, agnostisism and back. That isn't something I want to delve into right now.

I remember seeing on the TV how a couple had their daughter murdered and they said that as Christians they forgave the killer.

Eh?

If that were me I'd get a pistol on the black market and whack the blighter starting from the knees upward! Slowly!

Perhaps I wouldn't make a very good Christian! Perhaps my religious instability have scuppered me. Maybe my authentic self is a bit of a chav?

I mean, surely there are limits even for Chritians? Touch me and I'll forgive but touch my family and I'll slice and dice!

Help me get perspective here..............

No Room For George

If the family were to have 77 daughters murdered, the killers should be forgiven each time................

cofty

I don't think it makes any sense to speak about forgiving somebody who hasn't even shown remorse.

On the other hand it is self-destructive to spend too much time and energy trying to get even. I think I am very good at forgiving every day things but if somebody harmed my family I would want to hurt them.

THE GLADIATOR

It could be that although Christians believe they are for giving others, they are just biding their time. They wait on their god to do the judging and punishing. This act of faith is worth extra brownie points.

Those of us that believe we are responsible for the way the world of humans is run, have a more hands on approach. ‘Wait on the Lord’ has a hollow ring to it.

I do realize that Christians will see my pragmatic approach as an indication that I am dense, earthly and lacking in spiritual qualities. This is a cross I must bear - my gods demand it.

Hail Caesar!

No Room For George

‘Wait on the Lord’ has a hollow ring to it.

One of the realest things I've ever read on here.

tec

There are limits to what we might be able to do. And it is harder to forgive wrongs done to the people we love, rather than wrongs done to ourselves. Sometimes, we just can't forgive for a very, very, very long time. Can't even think about it.

But yes, ultimately we should strive to forgive anyone anything... most especially anyone who asks forgiveness of us. Just as we would want to be forgiven if we were sorry and asked forgiveness. (and sometimes, we might also hope that some would forgive us for the things we do out of ignorance or personal pain ourselves. Certainly we hope that God forgives us those things.)

Christ and God know that we are not perfect. Christ asked that we be forgiven our sins, and so his blood (and love for us) can cover our sins.

If we can't forgive, we should ask for help with that. Or even ask for mercy and forgiveness ourselves, because we just aren't going to be able to forgive this one. (though time heals, and sometimes what we think we can't forgive, we actually will be able to one day)

Peace,

Tammy

cofty

ultimately we should strive to forgive anyone anything... most especially anyone who asks forgiveness of us.

And if they don't?

In practical terms what does it actually mean to forgive somebody who seriously harms somebody we love?

still thinking

I think the forgiveness in this case is for the parents benefit and not the offender.

To live a life of hatred just eats you up inside...the only way to move forward and have any sort of peace is to forgive.

But it is not something I would expect someone to do...and it certainly isn't something that the offender would ever deserve or be entitled to.

3rdgen

Dear Punk the example you gave is extreme and (fortunately) few experience the murder of their child. Seven years ago, my firstborn and only son was in a motorcycle race. He tried to pass the more experienced leader of the pack. The leader refused to yield and forced my son into a tree. He was killed instantly.

I neither forgave that person nor hate him because it would be damaging to ME. I miss my son every day of my life but nothing I do or think will bring him back. I decided to leave ALL of it to God and Jesus INCLUDING the forgiveness. After this kind of trajedy it's best to try to focus on positive things or else your own life is ruined. That is not what your loved one would want.

Joey Jo-Jo

Love your enemy, am I the only one here that finds this immoral??

Back to the past, I forgave a lot of things, I let all of it behind me, it didn't matter what it was and it didn't matter if they were still doing the same things, lies, violence and jelousy all behind me. This mentality I now consider immoral.

tec: once again you say things that are not in the bible

Forgiving. Surely a limit even for Christians?

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