Qualified Redemption

Through a glass darkly in Monemvasia

In the end, we shall be saved. 

Now, let's talk about the in between time. 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.  For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'  - Romans 10:12-13

I like the idea that all I have to do is ask, and I shall receive, but am I ok with others asking as well?

If I make a bad choice and it is something I truly regret, shouldn't I be able to try again?

One theme that is common throughout Scripture is redemption.  The people of God, in their foolishness, selfishness, fear, and confusion, do what they shouldn't have done and fail to do what they should have done, and in the end, God accepts them back.  

Well, most of the time, God accepts them back.  On occasion, someone has to interceded on their behalf to convince God that they are worth saving, and most of the time, that works.

So, we know God is forgiving, but what about us?

How do we feel about God's generosity and forgiveness?

Have you ever thought, "It's great for me, but I'm not so sure I want him to be so quick to forgive that guy?"

Shouldn't there be some exceptions?  

I'm sure we can all think of them, those actions, crimes, behaviors that are so awful or heinous that make us shudder at the thought that the one who committed these acts could "get away with them."

Isn't that how we think of redemption, as getting away with something?

So, in those cases where the actions are truly evil, is it fair that God could be generous and loving to that person?

It is one thing to celebrate the awesome generosity of God when we do things we wish we hadn't done.  That amazing grace we sing and pray about washes over us and takes away all that makes us feel unworthy, but before we put qualifications on that for others, we should stop and think about our actions.

Even before I turn to repent, to ask forgiveness from God, I need to seek that forgiveness from the one or ones I hurt.  

That may not be a requirement for God's grace, but Jesus told us our sacrifices before God are meaningless without making restitution with our neighbors.

That's a heavy burden to bear, and it gets heavier as the crime or pain I inflict increases in severity.

To make it even harder for us to understand, we are taught that we need to forgive those who come to us seeking our grace.  That's even more amazing, if we can do it.

At first glance, this salvation thing sounds easy.  If we screw up, we don't have to worry about it.

But that isn't really how it works, is it?  The hard part is not seeking forgiveness for ourselves, but accepting those who seek it from us.  Can we offer those people redemption, or do we tend to qualify it?