God and Sin

[maltmom]

The other day I went to a funeral for someone very near to my heart. Afterwards we went to her daughter’s house. Her mother’s caregiver was there. My friend really doesn’t know much about the Catholic faith. The caregiver mentioned that she’d been married and divorced 7 times. Two of these “marriages” lasted less than 3 weeks. I mentioned that I had been married briefly, divorced, converted to Catholicism and obtained my decree of nullity. I explained Church doctrine about how until I receive my DON I could not date or remarry b/c I was still married to my ex in the eyes of God. When I said to do so would be a sin the caretaker said something I’ve never heard before. She said that God is Holy (I agree) and that when God sees us He only sees Jesus that God never sees sin. That He’s too holy to see sin. Normally I am never at a loss for words, but this time I was speechless.

What are your thoughts? Everyone I’ve mentioned this to has had the same expression on their faces I think I had.

 

[Della]

I doubt the lady knows where this idea comes from, but this notion is called “imputed” grace. Some of the reformers came up with this idea, primarily Martin Luther.

He posited that God imputes his grace on us, thus Jesus’ sacrifice is all God sees, not our sins. This has led to the heretical “once saved always saved” idea that many have embraced.

Of course, this lady has misstated it. God doesn’t overlook our sins because he is too holy to see them. God sees everything and knows everything, down to the smallest sin in the human heart.

The lady is sadly misinformed and is in spiritual danger if she thinks God is just going to overlook her flagrant sins by making this poor excuse. She must know her lifestyle has been wrong, just as the woman at the well, who also had some serious misconceptions (see Jn. 4:6-29).

 

[PaulfromIowa]

When I hear stories like this, I always think: “Who would marry someone who has been divorced six times?”

I guess hope springs eternal.

 

[louisak]

This reminds me of the saying “To the pure, all things are pure” which (I didn’t know this until I looked it up online just now) comes from St. Paul’s epistle to Titus. But that doesn’t apply in this context.

 

[fhansen]

The other day I went to a funeral for someone very near to my heart. Afterwards we went to her daughter’s house. Her mother’s caregiver was there. My friend really doesn’t know much about the Catholic faith. The caregiver mentioned that she’d been married and divorced 7 times. Two of these “marriages” lasted less than 3 weeks. I mentioned that I had been married briefly, divorced, converted to Catholicism and obtained my decree of nullity. I explained Church doctrine about how until I receive my DON I could not date or remarry b/c I was still married to my ex in the eyes of God. When I said to do so would be a sin the caretaker said something I’ve never heard before. She said that God is Holy (I agree) and that when God sees us He only sees Jesus that God never sees sin. That He’s too holy to see sin. Normally I am never at a loss for words, but this time I was speechless.

What are your thoughts? Everyone I’ve mentioned this to has had the same expression on their faces I think I had.

That’s a viewpoint coming from certain Protestant theologies. Wouldn’t it be absurd if God suddenly became no longer concerned with sin-opposition to His very own will-after booting Adam & Eve from the garden into a world with all of it’s drama- all of it’s pain, suffering, and death for their sin of disobedience? Catholic theology could be pretty well summed up on the matter with Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery: “Your sins are forgiven, go, and sin no more.” And via the New Covenant He promises to help us do that very thing, as we’re willing.

 

[fred_conty]

“whose sins you forgive they are forgiven” Jesus who dosen’t see sins.
“your sins are forgiven” Jesus who doesn’t see sins.

Just a few quotes from the many.

 

[maltmom]

Thank you to all who have responded.

For me, I was always taught that once we repent and ask for forgiveness God is faithful to forgive us. Once we are forgiven He forgets the sin. I’ve always believed that He knew about my sins before I even committed them and that it was only after He forgave me for them that He no longer “saw” them.

 

[Della]

Thank you to all who have responded.

For me, I was always taught that once we repent and ask for forgiveness God is faithful to forgive us. Once we are forgiven He forgets the sin. I’ve always believed that He knew about my sins before I even committed them and that it was only after He forgave me for them that He no longer “saw” them.

This is true, but, as you say, one has to ask for forgiveness first and not simply assume one’s sin is forgiven. Assuming forgiveness without repentance is the sin of presumption.

 

[maltmom]

This is true, but, as you say, one has to ask for forgiveness first and not simply assume one’s sin is forgiven. Assuming forgiveness without repentance is the sin of presumption.

Good point, I agree.