atoning for sins

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thatjeeves

Guest
#1
Hello.

For some time now, my guilty conscience has reminded me of several acts of crime that I have committed the last couple of years. The felonies include physical abuse, shoplifting, illegal filesharing and perhaps other things. I was caught red-handed for shoplifting once. However, I was only convicted for that one time. I had actually been shoplifting for a longer period of time. When the police asked me how long it had been going on, I lied and said it was the first time. In later years, I have come to remember this lie and realised how grave it is. Sometimes, I feel compelled to turn myself over to the police so that I could serve a just sentence and atone for my sins. I have consulted two human parties on this issue, and both state that I don't have to go to the police. What do you think? Should I turn myself in on order to get to Heaven when I die? Consulting another party, I have also asked what God has to say on the matter. I feel a strong no from his side.
 
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wwjd_kilden

Guest
#2
I don't think God will deny you entry into heaven because of that. And I don't think the police will care too much about past shoplifting. But, if you feel bad about it, maybe you should turn yourself in. It would at least give you peace of mind (I assume). - Pray about it.
 
S

suaso

Guest
#3
I used to download music illegally all the time. When I realized it was wrong, (well, I knew all along, so I guess you could say when I realized the gravity of it) I deleted all the illegal music.

I used to help a friend of mine steal things from a store. I didn't steal anything, but I was the lookout person. I was wrong. I guess I could go to jail or pay a fine for this, but it really isn't necessary to turn myself in.

Serving jail time won't help you atone for your sins. Being sorry does, and amending your life does. You can't "earn" forgiveness or anything like that. You can change your way of life. Serving jail time only repays to society what you owe to society, not neccesarily to God.

I guess what you did is a major factor here. If you have stolen petty things, try to anonymously return them or some sort of monetary substitution to your victims if you are able to do so. If you can't, because you don't know who they are or where they are, or you don't know where the goods are, then try to give money to a charity or someone in need. If this is beyond your financial means, volunteer time helping others. This won't earn your forgiveness or anything, but it would be a sign of remorse and your willingness to amend your life. It's also decent.

If you have done something massively wrong, like a hit-and-run, manslaughter, accessory to murder, then I would hope you would turn yourself in to bring ease to the victim's and/or their families, but I don't get the impression that you have done any such thing.

The bottom line: If you are sorry, God forgives you.
 
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