Do you believe that your faith would be strong enough for you to forgive someone shooting and murdering your child? I don't know if I could or how long it would take for me if someone murdered my child. This question is sparked as I was remembering a good friend that was shot 7 times by his roommate 15 years ago. I am still very close to his parents. His parents are wonderful people and very good Catholic Christians that have forgiven the murderer. They actually asked for leniency forthe murdererat the trial. Any responses would be appreciated.
It's been my experience sir that God will give us the grace we need when we need it. One would cetainly need great grace in this situation.
I'm reminded of Cory Ten Boon when she was in a concentration camp. Cory's sister was a very strong Christian..she appeared even stronger than Cory. Anyway the guard who was responsible for Cory's sister's death later got saved. Cory saw this guard at a religious meeting. She was bitter toward him. The guard met Cory and stretched out his hand to Cory. Cory said she diffently felt likenot shaking her sister's murderer's hand...BUT in faith ; she reached out and shook it. At that instance when she was obedient, love filled her heart for the man and great forgiveness happened.
It's been my experience sir that God will give us the grace we need when we need it. One would cetainly need great grace in this situation.
I'm reminded of Cory Ten Boon when she was in a concentration camp. Cory's sister was a very strong Christian..she appeared even stronger than Cory. Anyway the guard who was responsible for Cory's sister's death later got saved. Cory saw this guard at a religious meeting. She was bitter toward him. The guard met Cory and stretched out his hand to Cory. Cory said she diffently felt likenot shaking her sister's murderer's hand...BUT in faith ; she reached out and shook it. At that instance when she was obedient, love filled her heart for the man and great forgiveness happened.
Many times love takes a step of faith.
I appreciate the response. So, is it fair to say that you believe that you would be able to find forgiveness in the power of your own faith for the murderer of your child?
I appreciate the response. So, is it fair to say that you believe that you would be able to find forgiveness in the power of your own faith for the murderer of your child?
I would cry my eyes out first . Then I know God would lead me from there. I hear His voice and trust His promice that "He wouldn't put more on me than I can handle." That is a toughy my friend...so far though since 1976 God has been there for me...although many times I've been unfaithful to Him.
PS yes I beleive I could forgive the murderer. According to God's Word..we have no option. In order to be forgiven we must forgive.
Well as Chuck says, we have no other choice than to forgive. Its the way it is. They way God says its suppose to be. Who are we as mere man that he molded to look up at him and question God.
For me the big one that works over time to put me back into the Romans 7 mode is GOSSIP. So far forgiveness is not a biggy because I know I must forgive in order to be forgiven. Gossip though though stems from a self righteous pride..and that for me is something I really have to be dead to.daily.
What would I do? What would you do? The key to this is found in Chuck's post, "what does it mean to be dead?"
In this flesh dwelleth no good thing. The believer is to have crucified the flesh. Paul taught, neverless I live YET NOT I but Christ liveth in me. If it is Christ in you, the hope of glory, and one is "filled with the Spirit", We should not fulfill the lusts, or desires of the carnal mind and seek revenge. One should be able to forgive because he is not his own, He is a member in the body of Christ. He has the mind of Christ. Therefore he should walk even as He walked. He, (Christ, his head, Lord and Master who filles his very being) showed what he would do when he prayed, Father forgive them, they know not what they do. No man can serve two masters. It comes down to this, are we alive to the flesh, or alive unto God? Do we serve the flesh, or serve the Spirit?
What would I do? What would you do? The key to this is found in Chuck's post, "what does it mean to be dead?"
In this flesh dwelleth no good thing. The believer is to have crucified the flesh. Paul taught, neverless I live YET NOT I but Christ liveth in me. If it is Christ in you, the hope of glory, and one is "filled with the Spirit", We should not fulfill the lusts, or desires of the carnal mind and seek revenge. One should be able to forgive because he is not his own, He is a member in the body of Christ. He has the mind of Christ. Therefore he should walk even as He walked. He, (Christ, his head, Lord and Master who filles his very being) showed what he would do when he prayed, Father forgive them, they know not what they do. No man can serve two masters. It comes down to this, are we alive to the flesh, or alive unto God? Do we serve the flesh, or serve the Spirit?
Forgiveness.....
