Ok this was somehting I just couldn't pass up. While reading St. Augustine's Confessions and thinking about forgiveness and sin in general, I cam upon a new theory.
Augustine reminds us that every act of sin is done because we are partialy speparated from God and it pains us. This why we do thigns that bring instant gratification, but they are only temporary. That is easy to understand I think. What is more difficult to practice is that we must always forgive no matter what, for God does the same.
But recently, I found a way to combine the two. Since every act of sin is a step toward God but in teh wrong direction, it must be forgiven. So next time you se someone sin or they sin against you, remember that they are just trying to get closer to God. Even if they don't realize it or don't intend to, they are regardless. So don't look at it really as sin, but a misguided step, and sympathize for them, realize that they are just trying to be with the Lord.
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but please reply if it doesn't and I might be able to clarify.
Augustine reminds us that every act of sin is done because we are partialy speparated from God and it pains us. This why we do thigns that bring instant gratification, but they are only temporary. That is easy to understand I think. What is more difficult to practice is that we must always forgive no matter what, for God does the same.
But recently, I found a way to combine the two. Since every act of sin is a step toward God but in teh wrong direction, it must be forgiven. So next time you se someone sin or they sin against you, remember that they are just trying to get closer to God. Even if they don't realize it or don't intend to, they are regardless. So don't look at it really as sin, but a misguided step, and sympathize for them, realize that they are just trying to be with the Lord.
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but please reply if it doesn't and I might be able to clarify.
