Today, reply is on forgiveness as one aspect in developing a “moral compass.” Correctly understood, salvation through Jesus Christ brings together multiple streams of divine operations to reveal the divine nature and establish eternal life. In addition to forgiveness and the Savior dying on the cross there also must be such elements as atonement, discernment, Incarnation, longsuffering, rebirth, reconciliation, intimate relationship, repentance, resurrection, sanctification, and transformation. An individual believer will be built up (we say, edified) and spiritually increased as a member being nourished along with other parts of a full body, the church. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Luke” (Level 7 with 25,043 points, a member since February 06, 2014) posted the following:
How can Christians act morally when their god will forgive any sin?
What's to stop a Christian from murdering someone and then asking Jesus for forgiveness 5 minutes later?
How can Christians develope any moral compass when they're allowed to do anything at all and their god will forgive them for it.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Forgiveness Not Enough? (09/22/2017); Balance, Forgiveness and Justice (08/08/2017); The Practice of Love (07/27/2017); Transformation Not Obedience Alone (07/02/2017); Sacred Operations To Give Life? (06/29/2016); Sin Must Be Personal (04/29/2016); Forgiveness and The Cross (04/04/2016)
“Luke”, surely, you will agree to create or install a “moral compass” requires more than a “big bang.” Your question also suggests that by your standards (1) for GOD to grant forgiveness is immoral, (2) there are no other divine operations that give meaning and sacred substance to forgiveness, and (3) forgiveness is the same as approving and endorsing sin and wickedness. Forgiveness pertains to salvation carried out and performed only by GOD, and so speaks of a profound transformation of a sinner’s awareness, spirit-makeup, and self-will that may be dominated by the operations of sin. Forgiveness is linked to such sacred works as revelation, final judgment (we say, the second death), rebirth, resurrection from the dead, the expression of divine love as well as sanctification (the living being set apart to serve GOD by fulfilling promise, prophecy, and eternal purpose).
Many are unable to see that sin is contrary to the character and nature of humanity. They think of sin as natural, normal, and unavoidable. Without permanent change, instruction and sacred knowledge from divinity, sinners are unable to realize, recognize, and properly resist the operations of sin. Sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Law Giver, and the full universe that relies upon divine order; and sin promotes chaos, non-existence, and the conditions that were in place before the establishment of heaven and earth.
While there are many operations of GOD that will be accomplished through instantaneous sacred events (we say, miracles), the operations of divinity to establish discernment, renewal, and the intended oneness without sameness among created beings and living creatures now emphasize discovery, gradual growth, and learning. Those who are “born again” must “grow up again” and become mature by enduring “growing pains” and life experience on the earth. GOD acknowledges the carnal, material, and social frameworks relied on by mankind; thus, the living are to experience death and burial of the inborn spirit; and are given fresh endowments of life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word). Inseparable aspects from the makeup of GOD can be imparted to the living such as faith, holiness, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Having a fresh deposit of the sovereign will of GOD, awareness and self-will in mankind can not be dominated by sin. Consider again the following from the holy writings:
(1.) Psalms 130: 4-6, King James Version (KJV): 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(3.) 1st Peter 1: 18-23, KJV: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Luke 7: 40-47, KJV: 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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