How Can God Forgive Sin?

[Zeta-Flux]

mfbukowski,

What I gather is that, in the analogy, we are all children to God. We are all "young". I accept that. We really are young.

But there comes a time when even the young take accountability for their actions. There comes a time to start growing up. I am a professor at a university, and the "children" I teach are (for the most part) accountable for their choices.

It seems to me that taking responsibility for our actions, instead of blaming them on others, the universe, our lack of experiences, or whatever, is the first step of repentance.

This is not to say that God is not lenient, or doesn't take our childhood into account. Nor is this to say that there are truly those (like little babies) who are not yet accountable. Nor am I suggesting that circumstances, experiences, or the actions of others have no effect on us.

It is to say that, for most of us, we have been given agency, it is a precious gift, and we will be held accountable for how we use that gift.

Cheers,

Zeta-Flux

Edited May 16, 2012 by Zeta-Flux

[Messenger]

Perhaps its time for a story. Years ago, being a convert I had a decision to make about going on a mission. Not having any support from my family, and not having any knowledge of what to expect on a mission, I really felt like I was exempt. However, after I received an answer to a prayer about it, I decided to go. I made a lot of mistakes along the way. And there was situations that I had never dealt with before. There were medical issues that ended up being resolved with surgery, there were financial issues because what I was told the mission cost wasn't accurate, plus I had 4 mission presidents in 18 months! In all of that, I went from a healthy 180 lbs to 125 lbs in one year. In all of that, I learned to trust Heavenly Father. Nearly every step of the way, there was direction, a calming voice to someone that was strung out, beat up, and didn't even realize I had ADHD. And when it was close to being over, while waiting for my final interview with my last mission president, I took this mixed up mash of being in three missions, four mission presidents, and companions from all over the world and presented my pathetic mission to Him. I asked Him if it was alright. I told him I was sorry for not being as prepared as I should have been. I told him I was sorry for not getting closer to my Mission President. He stopped me, then his interpretation of my mission played in my mind like a movie from beginning to end. There I sat, in the hallway of the South Dakota Rapid City mission waiting for my final interview - and it was as if I was in the temple sitting right next to Jesus Christ. He not only accepted my mission, he forgave me for everything, not just for my mistakes on my mission ..... everything.

There is something to be said for work and effort to do his will, and the forgiveness we gain when we stumble when trying to do it. To me, that's the essence of grace. And despite those in the world that try and challenge all of that away by using the logic of their own mind, and negate every scripture on the subject, it is perfectly clear to me how forgiveness happens. And although I don't understand how I can spend a few minutes in a hallway all by myself and change a moment of anxiety into pure peace, I do know the steps involved to get there.

I suppose in the end, that's all that really matters.

[Zeta-Flux]

Thank you Messenger

[Hamba Tuhan]

Thank you Messenger

Times two.

In the midst of all the talk about how the Atonement either does or does not work, I'm reminded that I've experienced it. It works.

[mfbukowski]

+1