Do many good works annul the evil that we did against someone?

Leonardo von Dolinger

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Do many good works annul the evil that we did against someone?

Many people think that, if they go to a religious institution, follow certain rituals (for instance: prayers, fasts, etc.) and make acts of charity everything is fine. It isn’t in vain that Jesus said:

• Mark 12:24 -> “Do you not err because of this, not knowing Scriptures, nor the power of God?”.

And Solomon shows the importance of seeking out ken:

• Pro 15:32 -> “He who refuses instruction despises his own soul, but he who hears reproof gets understanding.”.
• Pro 18:15 -> “The heart of the prudent gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
• Pro 15:14 -> “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.”.

Only those who have Jesus’ wisdom can walk uprightly:

• Pro 15:21 -> “Folly is joy to him who is without any wisdom, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.”

However, wisdom only is profitable for those who have good heart:

• Pro 17:16 -> “Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, since he has no heart for it?”.

So, let’s receive Jesus’ instructions instead of offering sacrifice of fools (Ecc 5:1). After all the Holy Scripture is clear:
• Mat 5:23-26 -> “Therefore if you offer your gift on the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; that the opponent not deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out from there until you have paid the last kodrantes.”.
Even if we bless one thousand people, if someone has something against us, we will be accountable for this person.

You can question: but, and if the person is wrong?

Jesus was clear:

• Mat 5:39 -> “But I say to you, Do not resist evil. But whoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”.

And He gave us the example! Although the religious leaders got angry in virtue of Jesus trying to open their saying the truth (for instance in Matthew 23), He tried to reconcile with them (and, of course, with all humanity) allowing them to do everything that was delightful to their eyes.

Unfortunately, most of them (and all humanity) didn’t accept His sacrifice to, thus, to be reconciled with the Creator (2Cor 5:18-20).

In other words, although Jesus did not sin, nor was guile found in His mouth (1Pe 2:22), as the religious leaders thought that He was guilty, He accepted to be counted with the transgressors (Is 53:12) to make them happy and, chiefly, to make the Father’s heart happy and, of course, the heart of everyone who believed, believe and will believe in Him.

So, have a good day learning Jesus’ will so that nobody speaks evil of your good (Rom 14:16), nor you give cause of stumbling and, thus, your ministry may be blamed (2Cor 6:3).
 
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SongOnTheWind

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I immediately thought about it from the perspective of the person who had been wronged. In their eyes, probably not, unless we were sincere in our apology and restitution. Otherwise they would probably think of us as fakes. Unless the actual issue is resolved and genuine retraction and forgiveness and given on both sides, I don't think it's a done deal, however deep a work God may have done in us in the time lapsed between the act and the fact that we are willing to right wrongs.

The whole point of the cross is that it causes us to face the wrongs that we have done and to be honest enough to repent of them. Sometimes (and we should all have the humility to do this if a true work of repentance has been wrought in us) going to a person, apologising, asking for forgiveness, making restitution.

Sometimes we sin against God alone, and dealing with Him can be so much easier than dealing with each other because of His perfect love, mercy and grace He has on us (depending on the strength of the faith we have that binds us to Him).

God wants us to be happy, but more than that He wants us to be grounded in Him so that we can withstand the storms of life when things are less than pleasant. Knowing that we are hid in Him, that His grace is sufficient for us, is more important than whether we have a smile on our face. Our condition weighs more on His heart than our comfort.

That's why your mother can scold you one minute and in the next be like: have you eaten? Same thing, but with more at stake (spiritually which is what it really comes down to).






I like these threads, very thought-provoking, and edifying. God bless you :)
 
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