Moral Issue

[Sue J Love]

If a Christian murders someone, for instance, and then confesses it to the Lord, and prays for forgiveness, but he never confesses his crime to the authorities, does that constitute true repentance? Or, if a Christian steals from someone and prays for forgiveness over the theft, but he does not confess his crime to the authorities nor does he try to make restitution for what he stole, is that true repentance? Or, if you have told a lie to someone, and you confess the lie to God, but you don't confess it to the person you lied to and you don't tell the truth, instead, is that true repentance?

What do you believe the Bible teaches with regard to such situations? Is the person clear before God, not speaking of for salvation, but for daily purification and holiness and fellowship with God, if he or she does not take responsibility for the crimes committed but only voices words of confession to God? Is repentance merely ceasing to do the sin again or is it making it right? Doing the right (just, righteous) thing? Correcting the wrong?

What comes to my mind is that verse which talks about going to the altar to present your gifts and there remembering that your brother has something against you, that you should leave your gift at the altar and go make things right with your brother and then come and present your gifts to God.

I know some things, which a person may have done many years ago, can't be corrected if they no longer know how to contact someone, or if that person has since died, but if we wrong someone, and they know we wronged them, and we know they know that we wronged them, or if we commit a crime, don't we have a responsibility to make that right? What are your thoughts on this subject?

 

[amadeus2]

@Sue J Love

What you are describing is contained in what men have named the "Golden Rule" which is very simply a paraphrase of scripture:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

I have had people tell me that the golden rule is not scripture, but its meaning and intent is certainly contained in scripture:

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matt 7:12

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. " Luke 6:31

We must as you have said make it right with God. On the other hand, if when we can, we do not make it right with men including any restitution, is that really the way that we would like for them to treat us?

 

[Sue J Love]

@Sue J Love

What you are describing is contained in what men have named the "Golden Rule" which is very simply a paraphrase of scripture:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

I have had people tell me that the golden rule is not scripture, but its meaning and intent is certainly contained in scripture:

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matt 7:12

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. " Luke 6:31

We must as you have said make it right with God. On the other hand, if when we can, we do not make it right with men including any restitution, is that really the way that we would like for them to treat us?

Thank you! I appreciate your input, and I appreciate you sharing these verses, too. Yes, the Golden Rule, according to these scriptures, is definitely something we should all follow.

 

[Lynette Khristi]

If someone's really repentant before God, the Holy Spirit Himself will convict the person to be truthful before men and admit what he had done, or else the guilt would still be there creeping, because he knows what he has done and as Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," we must submit to earthly authority (but of course if the authorities are promoting something unlawful then resist), and knows he haven't yet made right with God by not submitting to the authorities for the rightful sanction of what he did.

 

[Chopper]

Hi Sue. I believe the key word in your questions is restitution. When we sin, we must confess that sin to our Heavenly Father. Hopefully, we repent of that sin and do our best not to commit it again. Now, to finalize this process, if possible, we restore to the person we offended.

Restoration finalizes the offense between God and the offended party.

 

[Sue J Love]

If someone's really repentant before God, the Holy Spirit Himself will convict the person to be truthful before men and admit what he had done, or else the guilt would still be there creeping, because he knows what he has done and as Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," we must submit to earthly authority (but of course if the authorities are promoting something unlawful then resist), and knows he haven't yet made right with God by not submitting to the authorities for the rightful sanction of what he did.

Thank you. Yes, the scripture that came to my mind is this:

1 Peter 2:13-16: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

 

[Sue J Love]

Hi Sue. I believe the key word in your questions is restitution. When we sin, we must confess that sin to our Heavenly Father. Hopefully, we repent of that sin and do our best not to commit it again. Now, to finalize this process, if possible, we restore to the person we offended.

Restoration finalizes the offense between God and the offended party.

Thank you Chopper. I know restitution and restoration are not always possible, especially if many years have passed, and the offended person is not reachable (accessible) for whatever reason, but especially if he or she is now dead. Yet, I believe we should attempt to make things right where that is possible. Again, I believe this fits with the scripture about going to the altar with our gifts and there remembering that someone has something against us, we should first go and be reconciled, and then come and offer our gifts.

 

[Chopper]

Thank you Chopper. I know restitution and restoration are not always possible, especially if many years have passed, and the offended person is not reachable (accessible) for whatever reason, but especially if he or she is now dead. Yet, I believe we should attempt to make things right where that is possible. Again, I believe this fits with the scripture about going to the altar with our gifts and there remembering that someone has something against us, we should first go and be reconciled, and then come and offer our gifts.

Thank you for you're reply. I agree that it might not be possible to restore, that's why I said "if possible we restore". Have a great "Lord's Day".

 

[Lanolin]

If a Christian murders someone, for instance, and then confesses it to the Lord, and prays for forgiveness, but he never confesses his crime to the authorities, does that constitute true repentance? Or, if a Christian steals from someone and prays for forgiveness over the theft, but he does not confess his crime to the authorities nor does he try to make restitution for what he stole, is that true repentance? Or, if you have told a lie to someone, and you confess the lie to God, but you don't confess it to the person you lied to and you don't tell the truth, instead, is that true repentance?

What do you believe the Bible teaches with regard to such situations? Is the person clear before God, not speaking of for salvation, but for daily purification and holiness and fellowship with God, if he or she does not take responsibility for the crimes committed but only voices words of confession to God? Is repentance merely ceasing to do the sin again or is it making it right? Doing the right (just, righteous) thing? Correcting the wrong?

What comes to my mind is that verse which talks about going to the altar to present your gifts and there remembering that your brother has something against you, that you should leave your gift at the altar and go make things right with your brother and then come and present your gifts to God.

I know some things, which a person may have done many years ago, can't be corrected if they no longer know how to contact someone, or if that person has since died, but if we wrong someone, and they know we wronged them, and we know they know that we wronged them, or if we commit a crime, don't we have a responsibility to make that right? What are your thoughts on this subject?

My thoughts...yes repentence is showing youve changed your mind and walking the other way, sometimes its fessing up and acknowledging youve done wrong to another person.

I have been thinking on things like divorce lately as see a lot of it in churches where the adulterer admits she or he is wrong and stops seeing the other person...they cant go back and marry after the first spouse after being with someone else though..but they can make amends and they can pray for the other spouse..or the other spouse can pray for them.

The one who asked for divorce is often in the wrong cos it split up the family esp if children involved. Hatred between couples is not christian behaviour however forgiveness is. I dont think it is easy..but in most cases that are not adultery I think marriage can be restored when there is true repentence.

I dont know about repeated adultery though like in the case where one spouse keeps saying they wont cheat and keeps going and doing it over and over and over after promising each time they wont. Maybe with different people? I think there needs to be a thing like a recommitment ceremony or something so that both spouses know they are truly married - to each other.

 

[Sue J Love]

My thoughts...yes repentence is showing youve changed your mind and walking the other way, sometimes its fessing up and acknowledging youve done wrong to another person.

I have been thinking on things like divorce lately as see a lot of it in churches where the adulterer admits she or he is wrong and stops seeing the other person...they cant go back and marry after the first spouse after being with someone else though..but they can make amends and they can pray for the other spouse..or the other spouse can pray for them.

The one who asked for divorce is often in the wrong cos it split up the family esp if children involved. Hatred between couples is not christian behaviour however forgiveness is. I dont think it is easy..but in most cases that are not adultery I think marriage can be restored when there is true repentence.

I dont know about repeated adultery though like in the case where one spouse keeps saying they wont cheat and keeps going and doing it over and over and over after promising each time they wont. Maybe with different people? I think there needs to be a thing like a recommitment ceremony or something so that both spouses know they are truly married - to each other.

@Lanolin , Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it. Nice to hear from you.