People Who Do Horrible Things Forgiven??

By Moderator -
Q: Why do murderers, people who kill babies, rapists, robbers and people who do horrible things magically are forgiven? Where is the Justice?!

A: This is about forgiveness vs hypocrites, and the concern for true justice. The question is, is justice served and is the person repentant or just temporarily remorseful? Truly changed person? or a hypocrite looking to "get away with" something and keep doing evil things. 

1st I want to point out: yes, It is good and just to want evil punished, to want wrongs made right and crime punished.  The fact that it angers you when evil happens is good. Think about it, if (sinful) mankind, whom God created, see the seriousness of crime, how much more serious and horrible is crime in the eyes of the Perfect (otherly) God? He is not like us. He is far above, far greater, and truly Perfect.(1) 

God is perfect. His nature is perfection. Humans have fallen thru the sin of Adam, so our nature is corruption. If a corrupt creature realizes evil is evil, and that judgment and punishment is good, how much more so God does! Right? 

God shows us through the 10 Commandments (*) that we are not perfect like him; we are not good, we are sinners. We are not like God. Far from it. And, God explains in the Bible that we continually do what is wrong, wicked, and evil in His eyes. So it makes sense that the Perfect, Holy, Righteous and Just God must punish crime as the Just Judge of mankind. 

So if God must punish crime, then it is reasonable to then understand what Scripture says about sin, death and Hell(2). The fact that all sin is ultimately against God because it is going against God. Going against His design, His command, against His nature, fallen man is corrupted by the sinful nature and sin is all he knows to do. Man is self focused and not caring about God, truth or consequences of crime. 

<God doesn't want to leave a person to fall off that cliff without trying to rescue him. Mankind needs help. If one keeps walking down a path headed for a cliff, it is good to try to save them and warn them about their eminent danger. So they can escape what is coming.>

We understand the justice system in the world and judge presides over a crime case. God is showing us a example of eternal things. If mere humans judge each other seeking justice... how much more seriously and perfectly will God on Judgment Day? 

So if anyone has broken the 10 Commandments, God will have them stand before Him, and they will receive judgement & the punishment for all their crimes.

God warns us that breaking the Law 1x is enough to bring us to justice. Punishment is an eternal sentence in a prison of Hell where God's wrath is poured out eternally on the sinner. 

But if they turn to God to repent, and trust in Jesus they can be forgiven, and be made right with God. There's an important part of the gospel that needs to be clearly understood, and seems is not being explained very well to people today. 

So if people such as Saul of Tarsus, a man who went around harming Christians, traveling far and wide to have them arrested and murdered, even standing right in front of Stephen and having him stoned to death... even a murderer like that can be forgiven. And he was!
 
It reminds also me of the case of Dr. Larry Massner. Who treated 1000s of young girls, and worked for a college, and the Olympics. He he sexually assaulted 100s to thousands of them. Yet instead of protecting women and seeking justice... the Olympic committee covered it all up. All of it.

When he was finally caught and in court...
The cameras from every TV News station in America was there covering it, and the eyes of the nation watched. Then, cameras were fixed on Rachel Denhollander, a victim of his sexual abuse. She addressed the court, the Olympic committee, gymnastic committee,  and then addressed Larry.  video 25:53 



She said, "The Bible carries a final judgment where all of God's wrath & eternal terror is poured out on men like you. Should you ever reach the point of truly facing what you've done, the guilt will be crushing. And that is what makes the the Gospel of Christ so amazing, because it extends grace and hope and mercy where none should be found, and it will be there for you.

I pray you experience the soul crushing weight of guilt, so you may some day experience true repentance, and true forgiveness from God, which you need far more than forgiveness from me...though I extend that to you as well." 

But people lack the understanding of what forgiveness is. It's not letting someone off the hook. It is ensuring someone pays the penalty for the crime. Also, if the person is repentant, penalty is paid, the case is closed...the relationship between the sinner and God is restored. They are united in a right relationship.

Regarding Larry in the courtroom, Ray Comfort put this into perspective well, and that is why we need to look at ourselves and be cautious. He said I wished I was there to turn to the cameras and say, "That means every one of you self-righteous people looking down on this wicked man." That everyone would hear and understand. (1) 

We are all human, none are perfect, and many go down a really evil path. But all can be redeemed and restored to who God wants us to be, as image bearers of God, and designed to live rightly. 

The sinful person (who is not a judge over a case) [such as you or me] has to be cautious/ we have no right to be condemning others or wishing bad things on someone, (just like in Larry, Daumer or Saul's case).  We are all fallen sinners and all need to be forgiven. We need restoration and a new life (thst only God can give). And that redeming still requires a payment to be made. Whether an unsaved person, a hypocrite, or a true Christian... every human needs Jesus.

<If we can't pay the penalty - who can? Is there any way to be saved from God's wrath? Yes!
This is why the good news of the Gospel is good news. When it is understood correctly. >

God didn't design us to be in rebellion, to be sinners. The fall thru Adam 

***Romans 5:18
So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life.***

 ruined our nature, but the mission & work of Jesus on earth, God in the flesh, was to repair the situation. To redeem it. To make it right, and to justly provide a way out for us. A way Justice would be served and sinful criminals could go free from God's wrath and punishment, because Jesus took our full eternal punishment, of the wrath of the Father (God)  was pored out on Jesus (God the Son)  (* vs). 
God sacrificed Himself in order to pay the sin debt that is required, cuz it is something we can never pay, nor are we capable of doing so.  While we were still sinners Christ died for us. (* vs).  In our place. 

Since Jesus took that wrath and punishment, then God can legally set us free from the punishment we deserve. He bore our sins on the cross.  

This is how God is both Just and the Justifier of believers.  Justice has been served for all who will believe. The full payment for our debt has set us free.
We receive Jesus righteousness.  And when God looks at us, he no longer sees a sinner under wrath, instead he sees Jesus, because the fine has been paid.  Since then the Son sets us free [by His sacrifice] we are free indeed.

When we find out how much God has forgiven us as a believer, things like (* do good to those who hate you), and having the mentality of Rachel, and what Ray said, makes complete sense. We don't downplay the seriousness of the crime, someone paid the penalty for us so we could go free. We as believers now have a better understanding of sin in the big picture as God sees it. Which brings our focus to also desiring all to come to God, (thru repentance and trusting in Jesus righteousness to save us). Which is what Rachel hoped for, as do all believers.

We all deserve death, hell and God's eternal wrath for our sins. But because of Jesus... God tells us that the moment we repent and receive Jesus as our Savior, God applies Jesus payment to our case, and instantly we are saved. We are born again. We have been given spiritual life and eternal life as a free gift. The spirit of God, Holy Spirit, now permanently lives in us; we are sealed by God. He enables us to live rightly, godly, and makes us more and more like Christ until we die and are perfected. At that time,  we receive a new body, free from sin & fit for eternity, where we will be with Jesus in the new Heaven and new Earth where sin can never enter again. Redemption is amazing. And so is the future for believers. 

We are all individually accountable  to God for our sins  (crimes against God). So, today make sure you get right with God, and inherit all the wonderful things in Christ. Your sins can be forgiven, you can become new, you can be who God made you to be. And when the storms and problems of this life come your way you know it is temporary, God is always with you, and he might be working in you or around you so pay attention so you can rejoice to be part of what he has called you to do during those times. And in all circumstances look forward to eternity, free from the stain of sin. Hallelujah. What a great place that will be. 


Get right www.needGod.com Gospel




This resource may help bring you to the conclusion that God is the Creator, Jesus is the Savior and Christianity is the only truth. And that you need Jesus, today, right this minute. 



Final note. 
We are called to do good and show Christ to the world. 
So, please note, there's a difference between human revenge and being pro justice. Because God is just we can relinquish justice to Him. 

 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
(Romans 12:17–21)



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