Not sure where to put this, but, I have a friend, lol, I so assure you, this is not me, my weakness is lust and what not, and in fact this friend I know from a forum, well, not longer he says his weakness, but before becoming a Christian he used to steal things.
In the latest reply he said:
2nd one says its a must. Is this still the old one? beucase the people i stole this small christmas lights from are moving soon and i dont really wish to bring this up over somthing this small is this ok?
Now I replied before that with the following:
Not sure, sadly no real expert, especially in this field, meaning better asking say a pastor, or chaplin.
Personally, as tough as it is, supposed to just make it all right, confess, take the consequences and so on.
All I can say, at the very least, is to try and get something you feel equal to the amount you stole and give them a going away present.
Try find out their new address some how and maybe later send a anonymous letter confessing to such and expressing regret and that you have paid them back.
All risky, but life is.
As far as I understand it, when you become born again, people you have wronged, if possible you try to put it right.
Think what J-John was saying is that if you can not, meaning you robbed someone and do not know who they are, put something of the same value in these collections.
At the meetings in London, had bins for instance for people to put knives and stuff in.
It's a tough one, in James basically says though not saved by works, works will follow faith and show and prove who you now are.
Ever seen the film Fly-Wheel, Christian film, the guy has to in the end get right with God and go around returning money back to people who bought cars from him at too high a price.
Great moral film.
In the end choice is yours, I can not say, oh you'll lose your salvation, or go to hell, chances are you probably won't.
But it obviously plays on your mind, so it's there and always will be.
Bit like unforgiveness, seems to do us more harm, mentally and then health wise physically than the person we hold the grudge or bitterness against.
Until that is dealt with, you will always be wondering.
Right thing, confess all, pray God deals with it.
At the least, if you fear might go badly wrong, call in the police or something, even though you reformed, a Christian now, give back something.
Trouble is, the perception, they will think, oh nice man, giving us a gift, when really it's because you stole from them.
Perhaps anonymously get a package together, deliver it some how, early hours, so no one sees or know.
Explain something like:
Hi, I'm ever so sorry, I have become a Christian and now have to confess that before being one I did steal something from you guys. I have changed and no longer do this, thanks to God. But God wants me to make amends and because of embarrassment, for obvious reasons as well, I have decided to give you something equal to the amount (item) that I took from you. I am not unfortunately in a position to return the item in question because.......... And I do not have enough money either, as times are hard and........'
This way, though again, perhaps not fully what God would want you to do, like in Fly-Wheel, he did it himself, sure got some stick, some over the moon, so on.
Have to seek God, ask, pray, ask a chaplin, someone more qualified in this field over all.
=======================================================
Anyway like I said above I'm no expert as such, think I know the answer, but tough one.
Given more advice prior to this as well.
But I wanted to throw it open and get more input from what others thought about it as well.
I'll let my friend know the link so he can come and read what you have to say, be nice now,
.
Blessings Lee.
In the latest reply he said:
2nd one says its a must. Is this still the old one? beucase the people i stole this small christmas lights from are moving soon and i dont really wish to bring this up over somthing this small is this ok?
Now I replied before that with the following:
Not sure, sadly no real expert, especially in this field, meaning better asking say a pastor, or chaplin.
Personally, as tough as it is, supposed to just make it all right, confess, take the consequences and so on.
All I can say, at the very least, is to try and get something you feel equal to the amount you stole and give them a going away present.
Try find out their new address some how and maybe later send a anonymous letter confessing to such and expressing regret and that you have paid them back.
All risky, but life is.
As far as I understand it, when you become born again, people you have wronged, if possible you try to put it right.
Think what J-John was saying is that if you can not, meaning you robbed someone and do not know who they are, put something of the same value in these collections.
At the meetings in London, had bins for instance for people to put knives and stuff in.
It's a tough one, in James basically says though not saved by works, works will follow faith and show and prove who you now are.
Ever seen the film Fly-Wheel, Christian film, the guy has to in the end get right with God and go around returning money back to people who bought cars from him at too high a price.
Great moral film.
In the end choice is yours, I can not say, oh you'll lose your salvation, or go to hell, chances are you probably won't.
But it obviously plays on your mind, so it's there and always will be.
Bit like unforgiveness, seems to do us more harm, mentally and then health wise physically than the person we hold the grudge or bitterness against.
Until that is dealt with, you will always be wondering.
Right thing, confess all, pray God deals with it.
At the least, if you fear might go badly wrong, call in the police or something, even though you reformed, a Christian now, give back something.
Trouble is, the perception, they will think, oh nice man, giving us a gift, when really it's because you stole from them.
Perhaps anonymously get a package together, deliver it some how, early hours, so no one sees or know.
Explain something like:
Hi, I'm ever so sorry, I have become a Christian and now have to confess that before being one I did steal something from you guys. I have changed and no longer do this, thanks to God. But God wants me to make amends and because of embarrassment, for obvious reasons as well, I have decided to give you something equal to the amount (item) that I took from you. I am not unfortunately in a position to return the item in question because.......... And I do not have enough money either, as times are hard and........'
This way, though again, perhaps not fully what God would want you to do, like in Fly-Wheel, he did it himself, sure got some stick, some over the moon, so on.
Have to seek God, ask, pray, ask a chaplin, someone more qualified in this field over all.
=======================================================
Anyway like I said above I'm no expert as such, think I know the answer, but tough one.
Given more advice prior to this as well.
But I wanted to throw it open and get more input from what others thought about it as well.
I'll let my friend know the link so he can come and read what you have to say, be nice now,
.Blessings Lee.
