Should i forgive the person who does not seek it?

[tech.racer]

Recently my motorbike was stolen by a person who decided to take it on an extra long test ride! I have been giving some thought to what i might do should i meet this person again. I have decided that i could take either of the following actions:

a) Forgive: Mark 11:25-26 "And whenever you stand praying if you have anything against anyone forgive him, that your father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive neither will your father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

b) Punish: I am reminded of the verse that says "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth....."

Should i only forgive if that person seeks forgiveness?

 

[jbarcher]

Jesus said, "You have heard it said this way, 'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth', but I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."

Consider the context. I'm just going to answer your question then get a little cultural contexual on you.

I'm going to put out a little rhetoric, sorry. What reason do you have to not forgive?

Matthew 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

---

Time for cultural context...Jesus is talking to the Jews here. The Romans rules the place, remember. A Roman soldier could say to a Jew, "Carry my stuff" and they might walk a good distance. I'm pretty sure the Romans could hit the Jews with no 'legal' reprecussion, as well. Gah...I can't paint the picture too well, it's so early...

Some nice discipleship standard setting going on. The soldier hits you; say nothing. He tells you to carry his stuff a few miles; go with him more.

I quoted a bit of the Lord's prayer because Jesus makes it clear that we are forgiven if we forgive. After all--we recieve the free gift of salvation. [Free to us, heh.] What reason do we have to not forgive others, regardless of what they have done? Could people have done worse to us, than what sin is to God?

Here is my personal opinion, and I hope I haven't put it in above, in any sort of way. I believe that from a Christian, forgiveness comes full and free, regardless of how hard it hits, or how deep it cuts. Thus--we reflect the amazing grace and love of Christ.

To God be the glory,
sss

 

[tech.racer]

So what if i see this person again. Am i ment to turn a blind eye and let him go about his evil business?..... What if i turned my cheek and he then went on to do something far more serious? Would it not have been better to bring the person to justice when i had the opportunity?

What if everyone said to the criminal with greedy intentions, here don't just take my bike, take my car aswell. Just because they now have a bike aswell as a car does not mean that they will be satisfied.

And what of the sinner who does not seek forgiveness at the time of judgement? His punishment will be eternal. What if we could bring these people to justice in the present rather then the future so that they may recognise their fault and live a better future - better for themselves, better for society.

What a world we would live in if criminals were not brought to justice.

 

[jbarcher]

Forgiving doesn't always mean you release them from being accountable.

A crime has been committed, and justice should be done.

But the thing is this--let's say you get the guy, and you get your stuff back. Do you still hold some kind of grudge against him for the crime?

 

[Future Preacher]

The Bible says to forgive our enemies. That's all there is to it. If you get the guy, yeah he should be punished, but you should forgive him. Plenty of christians make the mistake of not forgiving those who do them wrong, and it just makes your walk with Christ worse. Besides, does that motorcycle mean more to you then Jesus? Just look at it that way. God Bless!

 

[jbarcher]

Heh...

I think the distinction needs to be made here as to what is to be forgiven. Tech.racer, did you pick up on what I said about that?

 

[lands21]

Jesus said on the cross "forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do."

They were not seeking forgiveness.

 

[tech.racer]

Forgiving doesn't always mean you release them from being accountable.

A crime has been committed, and justice should be done.

But the thing is this--let's say you get the guy, and you get your stuff back. Do you still hold some kind of grudge against him for the crime?

When i forgive someone I cease to feel an angry dislike for them. Is this the reason that God forgives? Clearly then it is possible to both bring someone to justice and also forgive them for the reasons that led to it. If you do not feel an angry dislike for the person why would you then persue justice? Clearly you are then acting in the interests of the criminal and in the interests of society. Clearly then it is much better to forgive the person prior to bringing them to justice so as you are acting on good intentions rather then personal vendetta.

Well if a person is to be forgiven before they are brought to justice and that person may well be unaware of the reasons for which they are guilty and therefore not only will not but cannot seek the forgiveness, then the answer to my question is indeed that i should forgive the person who does not seek it.

At the time of judgement though this will not hold true. For then it must be that the sinner will be able to see the sins for which they are guilty and have the ability to seek forgiveness of them.

How necessary is it then that we seek forgiveness now rather then in the future, if we will be given the opportunity in the future to seek forgiveness for all sins? How necessary is that we forgive now rather then in the future, if we will be given the opportunity in the future to forgive those who trespassed against us? Maybe the only reason is that God will favour us in our life if we do. Maybe for that reason he will bring back what was taken from me.

 

[I_Praise_Him]

Call the police and let them deal with it. Then forgive him.

 

[Sharky]

You forgive even when they don't seek it. Period.

 

[12volt_man]

There's no precedent in scripture of anyone being forgiven who:

a) doesn't ask for it

and

b) shows no signs of repentance or remorse.

I'm not saying you shouldn't forgive him, it's just food for thought.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Sometimes we think that forgiving people is just something we do for their good. But forgiving people who do you harm is very important for your spiritual health.
I have seen many bitter, resentful people in my life who were full of unforgivenness and hate. They are in misery every moment of the day. They are often cruel and mean spirited to everyone they meet. I use these people as an object lesson to my children. This is what you will be like if you hold grudges and partake in little petty feuds. Life is short to waste one minute of it with dark thoughts.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Find out if your community has a VORP, VOMP or some other restorative justice program. Someone recently posted about an experience with this kind of program in Social Sciences & Psychology. Check out that thread & see if you can find a similar program in your community.

 

[puriteen18]

Ephesians 4
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

This is what I always think of whem someone does wrong against me. Anger can be the little crak that Satan can weg right into and cause real harm.

Don't let a day pass by in anger.

I would, however, report him to the authorities if he doesn't return the bike and ask forgiveness. You don't want this happening to someone else. (Sorry if I am just repeating everyone else.)

 

[UberLutheran]

Recently my motorbike was stolen by a person who decided to take it on an extra long test ride! I have been giving some thought to what i might do should i meet this person again. I have decided that i could take either of the following actions:

a) Forgive: Mark 11:25-26 "And whenever you stand praying if you have anything against anyone forgive him, that your father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive neither will your father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

b) Punish: I am reminded of the verse that says "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth....."

Should i only forgive if that person seeks forgiveness?

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." Matthew 6:12

(Note: Jesus did NOT say this would always be easy.)