Who forgives?
Submitted by Jules on 2003-03-4 17:31:34, Tuesday
In reply to Just A Few Points submitted by Andy on 2003-03-4 14:58:44, Tuesday
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Hi Andy, Long time since I spoke to you; I'll always remember you for the way you kept Chris in contact with us while he couldn't come here himself. God bless you! Your comments made me think about the difference between God's forgiveness and human forgiveness, on the one hand, and the legal system, on the other. We know that God forgives; and he doesn't do it reluctantly, it's his nature to forgive! God so loved the world... We also follow God's example, and forgive one another. More than that, I believe that in the church we should almost expect forgiveness from each other, because Jesus said, "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt. 6:15) -- I don't think that means that God is unable to forgive us, or chooses not to, if we have not forgiven others, but rather that we are unable to receive forgiveness if we have a hard heart towards others. After all, God forgiving us is something that has to happen in our hearts as much as in God's, and it can't happen if we have something against someone else -- no-one can receive forgiveness at the same time as harbouring a bitter spirit! Jesus also pointed out that we are unable to receive God's forgiveness if we are unable to seek and receive forgiveness from others, when he said, "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matt. 5:23-24) So we should forgive each other, and expect others to forgive us, at least within the church. But what of society? What of the law? (assuming the state to be secular, and doesn't assume that all its subjects are Christian!) Does the secular state or the nation have any duty to forgive? Indeed, is it even possible for the state or the nation to forgive? Doesn't the state have a duty to uphold the law with equality? Surely in the case of someone who has committed a clear crime there can be no "legal" forgiveness by the state, unless there is an unusual swelling of public opinion calling for it, demonstrating that the nation, on whose behalf the court acts, does want to acquit the guilty party for some special reason. But otherwise it cannot be done. Sure, the individual victim of the crime can offer forgiveness, but this does not allow the state also to acquit. There is no option for someone who has committed a crime other than to serve their sentence. God can forgive. The victim can forgive. But the state must still enforce the legal punishment, because the vast majority of the population has not forgiven them. Of course, if the whole nation were Christian, and if the state were run on Christian principles, then the courts would have a duty to bring every criminal before the public, reminding them all of their Christian duty to forgive, and the court would then always acquit every penintent criminal. But none of us live in such a society, I suspect. We have a secular state, which has a duty to enforce its laws on Christians and others alike. As Christians, it is quite proper for us to serve in the police force or as judges, and enforce the proper punishment for a crime, whilst at the same time believing that the person can be forgiven by God and, if they are a Christian, that they can be forgiven by their church. It's always good to think about God's forgiveness, and how free and unconditional it is! Let's always do the same for each other. With Christian love, Jules |
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