The Four Questions.....

[lovely]

RND,

I would want to be given over to God's will in the matter knowing that He would work it out so that justice and mercy would temper one another according to His plans...He knows the hearts of men, and He knows what they need to learn more about Him. There are consequences to sin, and this truth alone is a picture of the enternal consequences one may face if they die in their sins. In this instance, temporary justice may give birth to eternal mercy. I don't know, and I am not wise enough to know, though I think the Holy Spirit could lead me in my prayers and desires in this situation. I would need a tremendous amount of grace and faith myself to want mercy for this person's soul, but I know that the Lord is faithful and could put that desire in me. I would long to have a heart that would praise God if He could bring good out of the death of my child, and bring mercy to one who was going to die in his sin, but again I would require great grace to accomplish all of this for the Lord sincerely. I have given my family over to Him to serve His Kingdom, and so it is no up to me how He uses them...or me. So, I choose mercy for his eternal soul, and I would leave it in the Lord's hands on how best to accomplish that in this life...and to lead me accordingly.

I know this may not answer your question, but it's my thoughts just the same. The Lord bless you, and I hope your ministry is fruitful. When I read the title of this thread, it reminded me of Passover...'The Four Questions'.

 

[RND]

RND,

I would want to be given over to God's will in the matter knowing that He would work it out so that justice and mercy would temper one another according to His plans...He knows the hearts of men, and He knows what they need to learn more about Him. There are consequences to sin, and this truth alone is a picture of the enternal consequences one may face if they die in their sins. In this instance, temporary justice may give birth to eternal mercy. I don't know, and I am not wise enough to know, though I think the Holy Spirit could lead me in my prayers and desires in this situation. I would need a tremendous amount of grace and faith myself to want mercy for this person's soul, but I know that the Lord is faithful and could put that desire in me. I would long to have a heart that would praise God if He could bring good out of the death of my child, and bring mercy to one who was going to die in his sin, but again I would require great grace to accomplish all of this for the Lord sincerely. I have given my family over to Him to serve His Kingdom, and so it is no up to me how He uses them...or me. So, I choose mercy for his eternal soul, and I would leave it in the Lord's hands on how best to accomplish that in this life...and to lead me accordingly.

I know this may not answer your question, but it's my thoughts just the same. The Lord bless you, and I hope your ministry is fruitful. When I read the title of this thread, it reminded me of Passover...'The Four Questions'.

Lovely, there really isn't a "right or wrong" answer to this question, but you answered from your heart and you answered honestly. No one could possibly ask for more. Frankly, you answered it correctly! There is no possible way that the mercy needed (and above all required) to forgive can come from any other source than from the Holy Spirit.

 

[brakelite2]

Mmmmmm. Interesting thoughts. I voted justice. Whilst calling the police with whatever information I might have that the perpetrator would be caught, tried, sentenced if found guilty, and jailed, (we don't have death sentences in NZ, not even life terms!!!. Most murderers of even the worst kind spend no longer than 15 years in jail or thereabouts. ) I can still forgive him. Forgiving him does not mean that he ought not to be detained for the safety and well being of society.
God through Micah asks us to do justly, but to love mercy. Can we accept these both at the same time? I believe we can, although they are different concepts. Whilst seeing the law of the land being upheld, we can also forgive him, present to him the gospel, and pray for him that he might find Christ . That is where justice and mercy kiss each other.

In the final analysis, we may forgive the murderer for his offence against our family , but we cannot forgive him for his offence against society. Nor can we forgive him for his offence against God, although we can appeal to the courts for clemency, and pray to God for mercy and grace and that He might find a way into the man's heart, even using us as the means to present the gospel.
And finally, our youngest child cannot forgive him. Nor can we do that on his behalf. Only God, as our child's Creator, can forgive him for that offence.