Catholic perspective on sin, forgiveness, & free-will

[MargaretofCortona]

Sin is a choice. People by nature are prone to certain sins. Why does God punish us for what is innately part of who we are? No one forces to sin.

I understand that it is foolish to hold onto resentment and stew while the other person has moved on and is enjoying life. The offense is no longer a thought in his or her person’s mind. I’m familiar with saints such as St. Maria Goretti. Her level of holiness is ethereal. When people say as God forgives me, I should forgive others, but I ask God for forgiveness. If someone chooses to apologize, I will forgive them. Is forgiveness more about our sanity and our happiness? About forgiveness, I know Jesus suffered, died, and forgave the cruelest people even at his last breath. His sacrificed his life for the well-being of others. Is this supposed to shame or guilt trip me?

I don’t understand the idea of free-will along the idea that God puts people in our lives as a test. Or each of us has a destiny we must fulfill. Our lives are supposedly not truly ours and we must live our lives according to God’s will, what’s the point of giving us free-will then? God ultimately knows us more than we know ourselves and He knows what is best for us. Sometimes people make it seem like Christians should never make any choices on their own without God’s consent and if we choose not, we’ve fallen into pride? Humans are foolish and incapable of taking care of themselves.

 

[Gorgias]

Sin is a choice. People by nature are prone to certain sins. Why does God punish us for what is innately part of who we are?

Sin is not “innately part of who [humans] are.” We aren’t “prone” to certain sins, so much as we have concupiscence – that is, we are weak and can fall to temptation.

The punishment for sin is analogous to the reward for virtue – why should God reward us for doing what is innately part of who we are?

I don’t understand the idea of free-will along the idea that God puts people in our lives as a test.

God doesn’t “put people in our lives as tests”. Not only is that not true, but it doesn’t have anything to do with “free will”…

Or each of us has a destiny we must fulfill.

The Catholic Church doesn’t teach this notion of earthly ‘destiny’, either.

Our lives are supposedly not truly ours and we must live our lives according to God’s will, what’s the point of giving us free-will then?

The point is that we know what we should do, and life is all about us making free-will choices: will we do what we should do, or will we choose to act sinfully? It’s our choice…

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Thank you for pointing out my misconceptions. Do you have biblical passages for this? I have a copy of the Catechism - perhaps I can refer back to it. I’m the second generation of Christians in my family. We still hold on to part oof our indigenous beliefs.

 

[Gorgias]

Wow… tall order! There’s a lot to respond to there, wouldn’t you say?

After all, the doctrines that you’re looking to understand include:

• human nature
• the nature of sin
• concupiscence
• God’s forgiveness of humans and human sin
• a person’s responsibility to forgive others
• free will
• ‘destiny’, as such
• our responsibilities to God, vis-a-vis the way we live our lives
• humans’ ability to “take care of themselves” (wrt sin)

Can we narrow it down a little bit, please? Maybe pick one or two of these, and we can begin the discussion there?

Alternately, I might suggest that you read the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This is an easy-to-read catechism that you might find helpful…

 

[MargaretofCortona]

lol. I’m sorry, I never knew how demanding I can be. I’ll just read my catechism book page by page. Sorry. Lol

 

[Gorgias]

lol. I’m sorry, I never knew how demanding I can be. I’ll just read my catechism book page by page. Sorry. Lol

LOL! It’s all good!

Got one or two of those that you’d like us to tackle, maybe?

 

[OneSheep]

Good Morning Margaret,

Sin is a choice. People by nature are prone to certain sins. Why does God punish us for what is innately part of who we are? No one forces to sin.

Gorgias’ responses were great, but I would iike to add a few things to consider. For example, the perspective that God punishes us at all is going to depend on where we are in our journey. Do I wish to punish someone for what they have done? If I do punish them, do I first forgive? If I do forgive, which is our calling, then the punishment is only for the benefit of the person I am punishing. We can assume that God loves us at least as much as the person who loves us most.

I understand that it is foolish to hold onto resentment and stew while the other person has moved on and is enjoying life. The offense is no longer a thought in his or her person’s mind. I’m familiar with saints such as St. Maria Goretti. Her level of holiness is ethereal. When people say as God forgives me, I should forgive others, but I ask God for forgiveness. If someone chooses to apologize, I will forgive them. Is forgiveness more about our sanity and our happiness? About forgiveness, I know Jesus suffered, died, and forgave the cruelest people even at his last breath. His sacrificed his life for the well-being of others. Is this supposed to shame or guilt trip me?

This is a really great question, and I thank you for asking. Forgiveness is an invitation to holiness, but forgiveness is such an important aspect of relationship with God that a little “guilting” us into it is worthwhile from our loving Abba. I think you would agree that forgiveness is ultimately its own reward. As they say in A.A., “holding a grudge is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”

I find that understanding plays a wonderful role in forgiveness. For example, Jesus said “forgive them, for they know not what they do” which demonstrates an understanding. People do not know what they are doing when they sin; they are blinded by desires, including desire for justice. This is concupiscence. The people who hung Jesus wanted justice, and they were blind to His humanity.

I don’t understand the idea of free-will along the idea that God puts people in our lives as a test. … Sometimes people make it seem like Christians should never make any choices on their own without God’s consent and if we choose not, we’ve fallen into pride?

Consider this: a person may make a choice out of pride and really believe that God is calling them to the choice. Discernment is a prayerful endeavor; when I make a choice it considered in terms of mercy toward myself and those around me. I’ll refer back to “God loves us at least as much as the person who loves us most” concerning the whole meaning and weight of the word “should”. God loves and forgives us always, without hesitation. He understands us from a very merciful and nurturing point of view.