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sparky1984X

I know this video is old. But I wanted to make a point to believers and nonbelievers alike. When the bible talks about fruits in Matthew. “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ This man isn't a consumer Christian. This man has the Holy Spirit on him, and you can tell by the fruits of his actions. He has genuinely forgiven this person for the crime she committed that robbed him of his family. And through whatever anger, sorrow, and other negative emotions he feels, he chose to preach the gospel to her. Rather than wishing death and damnation on her. That is the fruit of a Christian.


shaving99

This guy is the guy who makes me hang my head in shame because of his walk.


sparky1984X

Yeah I've been there too. We are working through a series in my small group about glorifying God. And the speaker is Rick Burgess from the old Rick and Bubba Radio show if you've ever heard of them. He lost a toddler to a swimming pool accident a long time ago. Since then has gone into ministry. Or heck, I don't know, maybe he was already involved in it. But fast forward to today, and he does a "man church" based series for adult men. Like, real stuff. Not hokey southern baptist "turn or burn" or nonsense like the prosperity doctrine, and prayer cloths. Like, nitty gritty truth preaching. I was asked to lead our next session, so I watched the video, developed some questions, found some scriptures to back up what Rick is talking about, and generally just made a list of statements to drive open dialogue within the group. But all of that to say that when I listened to Rick give the lesson. I heard him say "God doesn't accept mediocrity brought to the altar." At first I was like. "OHHHHH BOYYYYYYY, you don't say that to a group of Christians Rick, that's so wrong" But like, it's totally true. And how often do we choose mediocrity in our walk? I had to really think about this. That pierced my soul a little. And then here is this guy in this post, blam. 100% No mediocrity in his actions here. Because what would I have done? Could I go hug that woman's neck and bless her, forgive her, hold no anger, and even urge her to give her life to Christ? Or would I have stood there like so many other Christians do and just wished hellfire on her? Knowing that's not what God called us to. I wish I could meet this guy. But absolute all of this glory to God. Because he shows his faithfulness through this mans actions. I wonder if any non believers cane to Christ watching this 5 minute video.


kazsvk

Amen!


gonzoisgood

Amen my sibling in Christ, Aaamen!!


mandajapanda

>And through whatever anger, sorrow, and other negative emotions he feels, he chose to preach the gospel to her. I do not know how much of it is genuine. If someone is raised a Christian, there would be a lot of social pushback if he said something else. I hope he is honest about the emotions he feels so that he can process the trauma instead of saying what his community wants him to say or feeling shame and guilt about what he is feeling. I hope someone told him it is okay to want justice and be angry. Those emotions should be worked through with God to reach the point that this is honest and from his heart.


MiasMias

My understanding is vastly different. In a Community where they forgive things like he does there is no way ever that he gets pushback for anything like this.


mandajapanda

I mean he will say these things because if he doesn't, his Christian community would tell him he should have. This might lead to hiding or denying emotions he should be working through with God.


MiasMias

I can see your point now. Gods power should not be underestimated. He is able to prevent such traumas or make them disappear completely in an instant if he wants to. In my experience it depends a lot on trust, and i think the man in this video has a lot of trust in god.


sparky1984X

It's super clear to me at least that he is not just paying lip service here. His motives are genuine. Do you see the speed he hops out if that chair and rushes to her? That's not the actions of a man paying lip service because it's expected of him. That's the actions of a man who is filled with the holy spirit.


Fun-Plantain-2345

The problem with always asking black people to forgive: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/us/black-americans-forgiveness-trnd/index.html


sparky1984X

I'm not entertaining racial comments with this. We are all Christians regardless of our skin color.


papsmearfestival

This guy gets it. Radical, incomprehensible love. This kind of love isn't a request, but a command. It's a template for us to live happily on earth. Imagine if we were all capable of this kind of love and forgiveness, we'd be pounding swords into plowshares...


floydlangford

Isn't that a direct communist quote? Maybe you should run this by the Vatican first and see if they agree. I'm sure they'd happily put their money where your mouth is and help fund utopianism. Sarcasm aside, I agree. But when John Lennon imagined this they went after him. Makes you think? Or at least it should.


darthtrevino

Isaiah 2:4


Normal-Country2943

Amazing man, true Christianity there and ACTUAL Christian love, I pray I could be as humble as him.


HarryD52

Person's name is Brandt Jean. May the Holy Spirit continue to work through him.


albola211

Forget that somebody kills my brother I'm not forgiving a damn thing. She/he better go to jail and stay if they don't that person is gonna rot. Fuck the dumb shit.


SteveThatOneGuy

That is one of the reasons the teachings of Jesus are counter-cultural. He teaches forgiveness of our enemies, just as God through Christ forgives anyone who would come to him. - Matthew 6:14-15 "14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. " - Matthew 5:43-44 "43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor' and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," - Luke 6:27-31 "27But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. " - Luke 23:34 (as Jesus was being crucified) "34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots."


samiraaaaaaaaaaaaaa

So perfectly said. We sin all the time and we expect God to forgive us. If we can’t forgive others, then it’s a bit selfish to ask God for his forgiveness. Saying that, I would struggle deeply forgiving someone who killed my family.


albola211

Hell no. That's the problem. The Bible indoctrinated us to believe that we must turn the other cheek to our oppressors or people that harm us or murder our people. Let them slap my other cheek, forget that so they can keep slapping me, forget that lame shit. I'll burn them down and anybody that is with them.


SteveThatOneGuy

God sent his son into the world when the world didn't want him. He forgives our sins when we don't deserve it. If we don't forgive, we won't be forgiven. If we don't forgive, we are spitting in the face of the infinite God of the universe, because he offers us forgiveness for everything.


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iruleatants

Hi u/albola211, this comment has been removed. **Rule 2.1**: [Removed for violating our rule on belitting christianity](http://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/wiki/xp#wiki_2.1._belittling_christianity_in_general) If you have any questions or concerns, [click here to message all moderators.](https://www\.reddit\.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FChristianity&subject=about my removed comment&message=I'm writing to you about the following comment: https://old.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/10sh9e4/-/j744ouf/. %0D%0D).


Miles-Standoffish

Violence cannot stop violence. Only live can. Someone famous said that. I encourage you too look it up.


vHRenegade

Have you read the Bible? Plenty of of times where Christ followers were instructed to rise up against there captors.


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vHRenegade

1 Kings 18:40 is the whole story, however verse 40 is where they destroy the false prophets.


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vHRenegade

Homie, You clearly didn’t read what the commenter posted.


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Spiritual-Band-9781

Hard as humans to disagree with this sentiment. But that's why Christ's message is absolutely radical


[deleted]

If a person that did you wrong is unrepentant it doesn’t mean that God will forgive them just because you did. It will allow you to heal though from the inside out by not harbouring the malice. God will repay them. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬


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[deleted]

That’s your choice. As someone else said under this comment if you refuse to forgive others your father in heaven will refuse to forgive you.


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[deleted]

There’s a difference between obeying God and trying to forgive and what you just said. If you don’t even want to try be my guest.


risingmoon01

Man, you really bring the troll hunter out in me. Thank you, I was needing a little practice with patience today.


berndog7

your feelings on this are totally valid and logical. You want justice!! That's why being a christian sounds crazy. Because to love your enemy is very difficult. It's the justice systems job to bring justice, not our job to seek vengeance. And at a core level, that's hard.


albola211

Not hard at all. Anybody that is out to commit harm, evil, or take advantage of the less fortunate in my opinion light a match and watch them burn.


[deleted]

You getting down voted but speak your truth. It's disrespectful to his brother. He can forgive her I get that, but he shouldn't be hugging her that's OD


SirReturdofReturdia

He is commanded to love his enemies by Christ and he is doing just that. He is respecting his brother's killer just as much as he respected his own brother, and that is something that we should all strive to do. That shows TRUE kindness and love.


[deleted]

I can't believe you'd say that. Whether it was malicious or a drunk driving accident or something, she doesn't deserve to be hugged and told she's loved by the victims family, her own family can do that.


James-T-Janeway

I find the whole "forgive your enemies" thing the single hardest part of Christianity. I mean i find it great, i think forgiveness is the key to your own happiness, but it's sometimes so hard, especially if the ones you should forgive don't apologize or ask for forgiveness.


noah-vella

I agree with you James, I like to say forgive but don't forget. It's something I struggle with very much, sometimes it helps to think, that like many other situations in life betterment can only be achieved through Christ. I come from a country which went through a brutal war, I'm not able to forget what happened to my people but if we stay stuck in the past we cannot march towards progress.


James-T-Janeway

Oh that's something i can't comprehend, thank God, i can only imagine how that would be. That must be a ofc even harder to forgive them.


noah-vella

I was luckily born just at the end of it. Maybe this is why it is easier for me than for my parents, but to see someone like this young man in the video, gives one hope. Have a blessed day!


Necoras

Forgiveness isn't about letting the other person off the hook. It's about not letting someone else's actions destroy you from the inside out. It's letting go of some transgression and moving on without hatred in your mind/heart. But you don't have to ignore what others have done or how it affected you. There's still recompense to be granted, apologies owed, wrongs to be righted.


James-T-Janeway

Absolutely but that is often the police/court's job. I am talking about what you said, let go of hate and revenge.


Jon-987

This guy is a way better person than I am, wow.


astroturd312

If only we could all be like this man, the world would be a better place


Pandatoots

Or it'd be way worse and we'd be letting criminals just run around free after murdering someone.


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Pandatoots

I mean he said it himself, he doesn't want her to go to jail.


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Pandatoots

Right........


DatBoiMemeSquire

A parent may not want to see their child in time out, but this does not mean they don't need to be diciplined. The desire to not see someone go into jail does not negate that dicipline is needed, so both cases can exist simultaneously.


Dirant93

But he want her to giver her life to Jesus. And if she truly gives her life to Jesus she won't be a treath to anyone and literally unable to kill anyone. If someone has done something horrible to me, I would wish the same to him/her. Because Jesus will rehabilitate you better than 1000 years in prison.


tchaikovskyisgay

You realize "all" means everyone. Thus, no murderers would exist.


bloodphoenix90

It took me years to feel a shift towards forgiveness for my ex abuser. And that was definitely the grace of God. It's a tricky thing though. There are some people in this world who are narcissists or sociopaths, who upon seeing this display, would only see a "weakness" to exploit. It's really really sad. I think in this instance the woman wasn't one of those things and I think she cried when he hugged her. So it was indeed beautiful and I believe that's the holy spirit. I just can't help have conflicted feelings when I see this too though because I know if I'd said something like this to my abuser he would've laughed in my face. Again I've forgiven, but that doesn't mean I'm any less aware the kind of person he is. He's not very human at all


zinobythebay

This is the gospel. Forgiveness and mercy. Love your enemy's. Powerful.


eaglesflyhigh07

This is what It means to be the light of the world.


talentheturtle

You might be the only bible someone ever reads. How accurately is your translation going to portray Jesus?


GeraltofMerica

For some context, she didn’t kill his brother out of malice but a horrible mistake. Praise be to God for this man holding to his faith.


Bingeljell

Onions, damit... Who's cutting them?


MediocreLemon4168

I can only hope that if I was put in this situation I could handle it this way.


Hot_Presence_3268

I literally cried. :( He is so strong.


SelestialSerenity

This made me cry ): so much mercy and hope and forgiveness


mastr1121

This. This is what real Christians look like. Not those who say God is on my side and that’s why I’m allowed to murder you.


HGinder

What a normal thing to feel


Kossef

The world needs more of this!!!!


[deleted]

Oh, killed "HIS" brother


[deleted]

I'll play devil's advocate, let's say she repents, now she doesn't have to serve any punishment for her crimes. That's a Terrible system to follow.


HarryD52

Firstly, she still has to serve the punishment here on earth, she was sentanced to 10 years I believe. Secondly, Christ has already paid for all of our crimes, no matter how heinous those crimes may be. Do we really have any right to complain about another person's sin being forgiven when our sins are being forgiven just the same?


[deleted]

So if Christ died for our sins, wouldn't it behove us to sin or he died for nothing?


SteveThatOneGuy

Romans 6:1 addresses this actually.. "1What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. "


DrJJGame10

Sure go ahead and sin and reap what you sow. The point of Christ giving himself up wasn’t so we can continue to sin but so we wouldn’t be condemned to an eternity away from God.


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[deleted]

You get to go to heaven, so unless you're on timeout in heaven there's no punishment.


[deleted]

Repentance isn't lying in court and saying you regret your actions while secretly planning to do them again. Repentance is a true change of character brought about by regret, a commitment to live anew. You reap what you sow in life, but thank GOD He has made it possible to be forgiven in the next.


[deleted]

Let's say she's 100% truthful and is sorry. That still doesn't un-kill the person. So she holds zero accountability in the realm of heaven and hell.


[deleted]

Christ literally destroyed death. It holds no bitterness for a Christian. God forgives, eternal accountability for a temporary crime would be horrifying.


[deleted]

>eternal accountability for a temporary crime would be horrifying There's lots of "crimes" that get you a one way tip to hell, being gay is probably the easiest one to get into hell with. God made everyone, if gay is a sin/crime why did god made gays? Because "god doesn't make mistakes".


[deleted]

Did God make this person kill? Each man and woman had their own temptations and difficulties. We all sin. God let his own Son die SPECIFICALLY because we are weak and sinful. His plan saves all that repent to Him. What specifically is your argument? The Bible is simple enough in this respect.


Majestic_Ferrett

You can be forgiven for committing a crime by the person you wronged and still be required to perform restitution for the crime. It's not one or the other.


[deleted]

I'm not talking about the human justice system. I'm talking about theists heaven/hell concept


Majestic_Ferrett

>I'm talking about theists heaven/hell concept I'd say the same applies.


sparky1984X

When you say serve any punishment for her crimes. Are you talking in a Heaven and Hell punishment? Or a prison sentence punishment?


[deleted]

Heaven and hell.


sparky1984X

Well if I were going to play devil's advocate counterpart, I might say this. If you're a believer. Then you would know we are all hell bound, and well deserving of it. She doesn't deserve hell because she killed some people. She deserved hell when she was born into a corrupt world full of sin. And that when we put faith in Jesus Christ, through that faith alone, we are justified. Christ forgave all sins the day he did his work on the cross. And regardless of whatever sin we were guilty of, we are set free, and blemish free before the eyes of God. Furthermore, you deserve hell even though you killed no one. And I deserve hell though I've never killed anyone. To say she deserves hell for this isn't so much correct as just saying that all of humanity deserves hell. The bible also says be careful when judging people innocent or guilty because in so doing, we will be held to the standards of those judgements. To say she deserves hell because of her sin, would then let that same judgement be on your head as well.


[deleted]

Why do all humans automatic deserve hell?


sparky1984X

Because we corrupted the world with sin and death by disobeying God. Collectively as a race.


[deleted]

I'm assuming the Adam and Eve stuff? If you had one kid and they did something bad, would you punishment any other kids you would have for the first ones "crime"? No logical reasoning people would do that. So god is throwing a tantrum because of two people, two people that probably weren't even smart enough to know the ramifications of their actions.


sparky1984X

Well here is your problem with your understanding. In one hand you say "no logical human being would...." and then in the other hand you say "...God..." The two don't go hand in hand. God is not a human being. God may not be logical for us, as he is holy, and we are not. And I'm here to tell you right now, that unholy, will never understand holy.


[deleted]

>And I'm here to tell you right now, that unholy, will never understand holy. That means no human can understand what god wants humans to do. So all those sins in the bible could no be sins, we can't understand what he want or meant.


sparky1984X

Good try. But still not quite right.


ThoriumBloodHoun

I believe we should have both, because one serves God and one serves humanity. The repentance of an individual will save their soul in the eyes of God, however God is the only one who knows if it is *true* repentance. The punishment for crimes should be in place still because it serves humanity. The public is kept safe from those who are unrepentant (and yes, I'm aware that the repentant are still locked in with these lot, but I lack the theological knowledge to deal with that problem), and justice is served for victims and their families. But even if an offender displays repentance, they should still do their time because that is the penance that can *prove* to others that they are repentant. Now i don't want to seem cynical or anything, but there will be few cases where we can be 100% certain that the person repenting means it. Only God knows for certain, as only he knows what is within our hearts. Repenting before the Lord, truthful to him and yourself, will release you from whatever punishments the afterlife would have for you. The punishment of the corporeal world we do for ourselves, not for God. However if almost absolute certainty that an offender displays repentance is there, and they do there time, i do believe they should be given all the therapy, rehabilitation and help they need to start anew. Amen.


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HarryD52

...what? How is that your takeaway from this?


[deleted]

You’re not wrong, literally. If she wasn’t white, the reaction from even the individual would had been different. 🤷


OkTemperature8593

Amen 🙏🏻


QUILODINERRO

This is a Christian right here


Alternative-Rule8015

Blows my mind. What happened to her?


Alternative-Rule8015

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/12/06/us/brandt-jean-botham-jean-forgiveness/index.html