You say "I know what's going on. I lived it." That is the feeling I get from lots of posters on this string, that they are still in pain over what they experienced.
You claim that I'm still in pain; and because I'm (allegedly) "still in such pain" that is the reason I'm "so unforgiving". Yet as you accuse me of assuming things; that's an awful broad assumption (as well as an arrogant one) upon your part.
I'm as recovered from this as I'm ever going to get in this life. I'm probably not going to get any "psychologically better" than I am; regardless of whether or not
you think that's right or isn't (which you apparently don't). My conscience is clear before God though.
There is nothing "unforgiving" or "unspiritual" about praying for God to restrain evil. He has set governments for that purpose; (to restrain evil and punish evil doers) and if you have a problem with that; you don't understand God's justice.
You claim mercy trumps all. Yet mercy and justice are two sides of the same coin.
You seem so darned sure that the OP never heard from the Lord just because she is not positive.
And you seem "so darn sure" that she has; yet what evidence of that assumption on your part, do you have? Our final authority is suppose to be the Scriptures; and simply by reading what you've posted in these last couple of posts; I can surmise that you don't believe Scripture is (your) final authority. You may proclaim to believe that verbally; but practically you don't.
You don't know what that woman heard, so please don't act like you are so sure she didn't hear from the Almighty. I don't know either.
You don't know what she heard either; so don't act like you know what she heard is from God!
Again, Scripture is to be our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. So, anyone who searches the Scripture regarding such things; would find God's judgements are just.
Deuteronomy 22:
24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die;
the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field,
and the man force her, and lie with her:
then the man only that lay with her shall die.
26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
Long before there was a push for "women's rights" did God recognize rape as an act of violence. He equates it here to murder. Now if the damsel "cries in the city" the assumption is that people would come to her aide; thus evidence that she was not a willing party to this.
There is more than one story of criminals whom I've heard of or read about who became believers and still received a death sentence for their crimes. And in the cases where I'd say their conversions were genuine; they all recognized that they deserved death for their crimes and they had no objection to their sentence. The one thief on the cross demonstrated this when he stated to the other thief "We are justly condemned for our crimes." He found mercy in the eyes of God, yet still endured Divinely appointed consequence for his sin!
So in the case of the OP of this thread; if the brother is truly repentant, he would rightly and very appropriately say to the sister: "Attend to your daughter; she needs you. This is what God would want of you. If your daughter's recovery process gets to the point where it's OK with her that you write to me; then yes, obviously I'd be glad to hear from you. In the mean time though, if she's upset at you writing, then don't write. She needs you now. Help her." That would be a genuine demonstration of grace upon the part of the brother.
I could be wrong, but the feeling I get is that some here are trying to wrap themselves in a cloak of anger to protect themselves, somehow, from ever being hurt again.
Pain is a part of our lives. Again, this is an arrogant assumption upon your part that what I say is some how because I'm trying to avoid pain. I have a 17 year old son with epilepsy; of which the chronic medical issues that have arisen upon a consequence of his medication could kill him. Every missed developmental milestone. Every reminder that he will never be able to live independently. Every "right of passage" (like simply getting a high school diploma) is painful for both himself; as well as myself to watch. He's cognitively lucid enough to know he won't attain these goals on account of his medial issues.
In this life we will have trials. I accept that. Don't assume I'm trying to avoid the pain they bring.
This feeling apparently extends over to another person's story where they don't want to even listen to the possibility that the Father would ever want to show any mercy to any such gross sinners, ever.
Again, another assumption upon your part. No poster on this thread who speaks of justice has ever said child molesters are beyond redemption. What people have said to the OP is to attend to her daughter. Any of us only ever have one set of biological parents in life; and kid you not, the quality of our relationships with those parents are important to us. God has set it that way.
I pray for your healing and the healing of all those on this string and that you will be led as He knows is best for you particularly.
Again, another awfully arrogant statement. You assume yourself to be more spiritual than someone like me. And so thus you think you need to correct my alleged misunderstanding of mercy?
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
The other side of the story is that some have had miraculous healings from deadly diseases when they let go of hate and forgave.
An here is where you step outside of Scripture.
But research what anger and hatred do to the immunological system. How can it be good for anyone? Rhetorical Q. "Anger resides in the lap of fools....Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
Your allegation here does not explain psalm 139. Nor does it explain a sinless Messiah who got mad and threw people out of the temple. The same Messiah who yelled at His own disciples for chasing away the parents wishing to bring their children to Him.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
This verse is speaking of someone who's looking for an excuse to fly off the handle; not someone who's grappling with a profound violation of their personhood.
The word "haste" here means "to terrify" and "be angry" means "to be provoked to anger". This is speaking of someone who uses anger to get their way. They are impatient and unyielding "personal terrorists" of those around them.
You've posted a fine example here of taking a verse out of context.
Anger and hate should be turned over to the Father. They are sort of like revenge in the heart, seems to me. "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. I will repay." Let Him do His job, as HE decides, and seek Him for healing.
And again; no poster that you are accusing of being "unspiritual" here would disagree with this. Mark the point though. Vengeance IS Gods AND HE WILL TAKE IT! That is a truth we all need to consider in all sobriety.
Amos 5:
18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord!
to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.
19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR THE UNREPENTANT!
Just because you are offended by those who speak of justice; does not negate the fact that justice is coming and rightfully so! Man is capable of committing horrendous acts of wickedness against his fellow man.
And how is it that
you are offended by the anger of the victims?
The day I found out Saddam Hussein was dead; I was in the GoodWill and I heard it over the TV they had on. I always assumed I'd be "happy" and when I saw the Iraqis running through the streets cheering and waving Iraqi flags I cried. I didn't cry for any sorrow I felt for Hussein. I cried because this was the end of a chapter in history. A chapter that profoundly affected my life as well as the lives of all these people on the other side of the world. I was happy for the Iraqi people and I prayed for the stability of their country.
Proverbs 11:10
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Their rejoicing at his death did not make them evil. I understand why they were cheering. I felt a sense of relief when I found out Saddam was dead.
Here it is. Years ago I felt the Father kept bringing me the word of knowledge "cancer."
Now not long after the warning I had a doctor's visit for a lump under my skin. There was some minor surgery and I was told that the lump might have been "pre cancerous."
Even if people don't think they should let go of anger and resentment for spiritual reasons, hey how about for physical health reasons? Why let the victimizer hurt you in another way?
Here is a perfect example of lack of discernment. People aren't afflicted with ailments because of being angry over profound hurt. (Look at Job!) Jesus got angry over injustice. Why do you think He yelled at Pharisees?
An interesting thing happened when I got rid of those angry thoughts. Without trying to, I forgave those people. Sometimes the Father shows us that people are "spiritually blind." They really don't even see what they are doing. Since they don't - at this time anyway - walk in the Light, but walk in darkness, they don't even "get it" that they are sinning.
Here is another lie. The wicked know they commit wickedness for: "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men
who hold the truth in unrighteousness. They won't admit to you that they know their acts are evil. They will continually make up excuses; but they know!