Do we actually tell someone when we forgive them? Is it for the forgivers benefit more so than the receiving person of the forgiveness?
Another blogger mentioned a rapists being forgiven and that it may not have any impact on him. He displayed no repentance. It reminded me of a news story I saw on Pittsburgh television a few days ago. The gangster who killed the former witness was acting up for the camera as he was being lead away. Tough guy. A new witness was stepping forward, and if justice is served- the young man will not see the outside of a prison again…But if he were forgiven by the victim family, can the fact he is forgiven make a difference?
Maybe not in my time frame, maybe not at all…Fortunately for the young rapist, the gangster, and others I am not the almighty making the decisions or judgments… They more than likely would be obliterated. Who’s next?
But maybe, just maybe, after a decade or two in jail--- if they survive, they might make a life changing decision…they might reflect upon the absurd notion that a victim’s family forgave them. They might repent.
As a Christian…their admission of sin and acceptance of Christ is sufficient…as long as it is sincere…no matter when it occurs. It doen’t seem fair- but maybe, just maybe- forgiving someone and letting them know they are forgiven might make an everlasting change of salvation for that person down the road. Eventually.
Please do not get me wrong. They must pay for what they did in accordance with our laws. I am not thinking we need to open the gates… but not forgiving someone may be more harmful to the victim… Some psychiatrists are suggesting bitterness might be labeled as a mental disorder… I think we all can think of someone who had something happen in their life- and never got over it… Maybe we can see a bit of that in ourselves...
I don’t think I could ask the victim’s family to spend time with an unrepentant aggressor- or think fondly of them- but forgiving them and moving on with their lives might be the best for all concerned.
Having a son sitting in prison, who walked away from his family- his children- my grandchildren, I can only hope that one day he sees the errors of his ways.
If he does that at age 80, long after I am gone, in some cell somewhere… that would be great. Sooner of course would be better...but again it is not my time table.
God Bless,
I don't think you're selfish, Randy. I agree with you. And isn't that what God has done for us through His Son? God has historically shown us that when given rules to follow we only break them, and when told to repent we only get angry. So He sent His Son and now comes to us and says "I love you and forgive you." Of course not everyone responds even to that, but it can't be denied that forgiveness is more compelling than being told we need to follow the rules and repent if we don't. God's kindness leads us to repentance (Rom 2:4).
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