If you do someone wrong, are they obligated to forgive you?
Well......
If they created the entire situation and knowingly set you up for absolute failure in the first place, perhaps they have all if not the greater part of the culpability.
Perhaps they should be the party asking for forgiveness.
Carbon12,
You surprise me. Your response contributes.
So, Joe steals Bob's car. But since Bob had much, Joe thinks Bob should let him lightly since Bob is so rich. But Joe has perpetrated a wrong and is not sure how,to right the wrong or how to set things right with Bob. Bob is very powerful and might prosecute Joe and Joe is fearful of that.
Joe has a couple of choices. He might stay away from Bob out of the embarrassment of his own crime. He might react by cursing Bob for leaving the keys in it in the first place. After all, it really is Bob!s fault in the first place, right? Or not.
Bob might see Joe's dilemma and communicate to Joe what must,be done to make things right, Joe can admit his wrongdoing and get right with Bob or he can refuse to admit his wrong and simply curse Bob and never accept responsibility for his crime.
So simple.
Anyway, the point has been made.
I am gone on another trip. Pls play on.
I guess you missed the part (point) where Bob (God) made Joe (you) with an absolute thieving (sinful) nature. When you inevitably stole (failed at not sinning), you were only fulfilling Bob's perfect plan.
Isn't that the crux of the Christian Redemption narrative?
So simple and for most Christians, familiar. But yet, you still managed to miss it.
Nope, didn't miss it. But I will finish the Joe/Bob story.
So Joe stole the car and wrecked it. He did it, he did it knowingly and he is guilty. But he has pride and he cannot bring himself to confess to Bob and does not have the courage to ask for forgiveness. But Joe is angry with himself so he tells himself and others that Joe is really at fault for leaving the keys in it and so on and so forth.
Well, Bob hears about this and decides to just wait to see if Joe ever comes around. Joe avoids Bob and Bob sees that Joe does not want to address this crime that prevents Joe and Bob from being friends. Joe does not want a relationship with Bob and Bob just lets him go his merry way.
But, Bob is not going to invite Joe to the Party either for he knows Joe really does not want to be there.
Simple, if Joe does not want a relationship with Bob, Bob won't force it but Joe should not expect a party invitation. Bob will let him go the way he desires.
Now, why is it that so many "atheists" have a problem with this?
You don't want a relationship with God. God allows that. Go the way you choose to.
Oh, btw, there will be no excuses, for Joe really did steal the car and he really did avoid God and these were
his choices.
Flip Wilson used to say "The devil made me do it." Funny but still a flimsy excuse. Won't hold up in court.
Ah, but you atheists should not feel threatened in any way.
There is no god that you are obligated to.
