I think that when we take the position that these isssues don’t deserve very serious consideration, we’re saying, “So and so doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” Well, I don’t deserve forgiveness. None of us deserves forgiveness, none of us earns salvation.
What is there other than unmerited mercy from God?
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It is only God that forgives us.
We can make our own beliefs known, and we can try to convince ourselves and others that forgiveness is ours, but at the end, only God can forgive us.
It is His mercy that we require.
punishment and forgiveness aren’t identical things.
punishment is part of ensuring fair justice is done. having a just punishment meted out is a necessary component for most people to be able to forgive those that have done horrible thjings, that they are assured the evildoer will get a just punishment. it allows victims to move on and be able to forgive.
if you dont’ think a murderer or any criminal gets a just sentence it makes forgiveness far more difficult.