The problem is when people go too far either direction. First, only God can forgive sin. To say that we can forgive sin is to say that we are God. So no need to "forgive" the Gestapo. We cannot forgive crimes against God, against others, or against society at large. Nor should we. Love is shown through justice in this case. There are two sides and to love BOTH parties is to seek just punishment for wrongs and a way of restitution and repair if possible.
What we can forgive are personal offenses directed at us specifically, as individuals. THAT we are called to do and THAT is very difficult. We love to say we forgive someone at a distance whose offense was directed at someone else or the collective us. We hate to fogive the smallest personal slight. We demand justice for ourselves but shortchange others.
4 posted on
01/22/2008 12:33:22 PM PST by
WileyPink
("...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6b)