Before You Thrown A Stone
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noun
- the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
I think most people can empathize with victims of crimes.
Perhaps easier for those who have been victims themselves.
We may 'feel' for murder victims, although we have not been killed like those who perished.
But can we feel, and empathize, for the criminal; the murderer?
Not all of us.
What of the murderer who feels regret, sorrow and desires forgiveness?
Can we empathize with their regret, sorrow and desire for forgiveness?
It is possible.
Do we also have to have been a repentant murderer to feel for the repentant murderer?
I don't think so.
Would such a sentiment be desired?
What value would such an exercise, or effort, render those who detest murder / killing of any kind?
I've heard personal stories of police officers who, although having the authority to take a life if necessary, having killed someone later deeply regretting their actions.
Although they were allowed to enact lethal force, their conscience was deeply affected...with some of them having quit the police force.
Are these people weak?
I don't think so.
It seems their conscience is stronger than their human logic, their hearts speak a greater voice than their rational minds.
I heard similar stories of train operators whose train mistakenly killed a pedestrian.
It was no fault of the train conductor, but the mere thought that a life was snuffed out indirectly by them is enough to have them quit the occupation.
Perhaps with these it is possible to empathize with these 'killers'.
What of the person who purposely takes the life of another, even planning it out to the finest detail?
If, or when, they are sorry, can we empathize and feel for them?
Can we forgive them?
I use the example of murder because, to me, this is one of the most obvious crimes against another person.
It is final.
But you can substitute 'murder' with a list of other heinous and seemingly unforgivable crimes; from pedophilia, pederasty, sodomy, rape, to physical, mental, emotional violence, to what some may argue to be the 'smallest' internal and insignificant negative thoughts towards another person.
The act of murder is one that the victim cannot recover physically.
But the same can be said of even the most insignificant word delivered in a hasty or hateful manner to another human being.
Some of the 'unforgivable' crimes you may have on your list may also be physically (and emotionally, mentally, psychologically) everlasting.
What of the state of the perpetrator?
What has compelled them to commit such acts?
Returning to the example of murder, I wonder if the criminal is able to recover.
There have been instances, looking at life and people I've personally known, that the murderer may arguably have the worse fate.
They must live with not only the consequences of having killed, but the internal turmoil (if any).
I've personally known murderers...them having confessed to me their sin, crime and major trespass on another soul.
Is the murderer only those who extinguish the physical life of another human being?
The teaching from Above speaks about another kind of murderer.
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
- Matthew 5: 21-22“Raca” is an Aramaic term of contempt.
You can exchange that term for your local term(s) of contempt for others; those disliked or cursed for whatever reason.
Calling someone a 'fool' (a heart-centered contempt towards another person) is cause for concern.
Besides the manner a foul word may injure someone's heart and psyche, is the condition of the speaker's heart.
Many people are murderers in their hearts and they have never physically killed anyone.
Such as these may justify themselves because they have never physically committed murder or other grievous crimes, yet in their hearts they have done so.
Their hearts are full of contempt.
Contempt
noun
- the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration
It is easy to think that a murderer is beneath the rest of humanity, as the list I mentioned or your list.
We may think these deserve no affection, attention or even consideration.
This is where another teaching from Above speaks to our hearts, asking our hearts not to become callous enough to murder someone spiritually for their crimes, no matter how wicked or disgusting we perceive such crimes to be.
When we see things from God's point of view, we realize what righteousness really is.
We are taught how to love and consider the unlovable and vile person, understanding that what came through them may not eternally define them or their eventual destination (grace and forgiveness).
If we are able to empathize with those we consider to be criminal or 'sinful', then we may reflect how we have also been sinful and criminal, for who can claim to live a perfect life in the past?
When we place ourselves in their position, shoes and situation, we may realize these are the people the faithful are called to love, befriend, and extend grace to...as it has been extended to each one of us.
Then Peter came to Yeshua and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Yeshua answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
- Matthew 18: 21-35
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