Forgiveness and Accountability


What does forgiveness and accountability entail?

Forgiveness respects the intrinsic value of individuals by not defining them by their mistakes whether intentional or unintentional. What I mean by intrinsic value is the individual's ability to be the individual God intended them to be as exemplified by the moral laws that govern this earth.

Forgiveness at times demands accountability in a respectful appropriate manner. It's not about revenge but restoration of those damaged by an act or acts of wrongdoing. This restoration should address damages made against any individual. Furthermore, acknowledgement, remorse, and sincere apology over wrongdoing should be willingly expressed.

Forgiveness especially entails rehabilitation of the person involved in wrongdoing. It is imperative to help the individual engage in healthy patterns for their own well-being and to restore them to their true self. What I mean by true self is the individual God intends he/she to be.

This all sounds idealistic, and I realize this is a difficult task. How does one go about implementing such "out there" ideals?? One must consider pursuing God for guidance and insight. We cannot rely on human reasoning which is flawed and often times evil. Often times, we think we know what true justice is but our perceptions are not in line with truth. It is impossible to exact true justice, true restoration, true accountability without guidance from God.

Part of the reason why I believe this is because we don't know a perpetrator's history in detail, their heart, their perceptual and cognitive abilities, their reasoning, etc. We even need the strength from God to forgive properly. There is a need for reliance on God to forgive and restore.

Again, although the degree of offense may be severe, I don’t believe in defining people by their bad decisions. There needs to be hope, and forgiveness through God and hopefully through people’s decisions to forgive.

Incarceration is not the ultimate solution for crime, and it tends to define people by their bad decisions which is cruel. God, prayer, counseling, medication, and precautionary measures are the solution, and of course, addressing damages. We all commit “different” crimes and under different degrees and consequences. In addition to mental health services, I believe that God, specifically the Christian God is the ultimate solution to rehabilitating those in prison.

I strongly believe that without God there is no hope. I believe that counseling with the intent of developing a personal relationship with God is crucial to healthy mental health. Knowing God’s character through prayer and scripture is integral to developing their relationship as well as community among serious believers. By shaping thought life around God, we don’t rely on man who is flawed. We cannot fail when we know, love, and respect God.

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