Penance

 “Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2 amp

         As new covenant believers we know Jesus has taken all punishment and wrath. We receive grace upon grace in all areas of our lives, even when we fail big time.  God does not look at our failures and make us pay penance. He sees from all angles. He sees us from the inside out. He knows exactly why we tripped up and what events led us down each and every road we travel. He understands. We on the other hand, often see people’s mistakes as personal attacks against us - we make it all about us. This hurts our pride and egos making us feel justified sentencing people, “They must pay!”

         When we punish others and make them pay penance we are standing on dangerous ground. We are sitting in the seat of judgment, holding ourselves up as gods. The Bible says not to do this, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2) The Greek word there is "krino," (Strong's #2929) and means "to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish.” We have no rightfully ground to punish anyone unless we want to be punished, implicated, tried and condemned. The measure we dish out, will be the measure we reap.

      There is a type of judgment we are told to use throughout the Bible, but it is not to punish or condemn. For example, 1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things…” this word judgment has more to do with discernment. The Greek word is "anakrino," (Strong's #350) of which "krino" is a root. It means "to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine, examine, and take into account."

      Some personality types and temperaments may believe if the offender doesn’t know their being punished there’s no harm no foul. This is not true. Passive aggressive behavior is a symptom of deeper issues and a lack of revelation of a very present all-knowing God. The person you are hurting may not know or be able to prove you are punishing them, but God sees our hearts. Plus, any underhanded behavior will always eat away at our relationships whether it’s instantly noticeable or not. We are destroying the foundation the relationship sits on.

      The Bible says it’s appointed to all men to die once and after is the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The word judgment refers to sentencing (Strong’s #2920). Do we want God judging/sentencing/punishing us for all our wrong doing, which is certainly abundant? No. Then we must live a life of grace toward those who have hurt us, realizing we are not perfect. It is our pride and self-righteousness that demand, “They must pay!” both of which are signs of an immature spiritual life.

        Coincidentally, one of my favorite podcasts posted a podcast about “The Dangers of Schadenfreude.” Schadenfreude is German for taking pleasure in another person’s suffering. Antonia Dodge goes on to say how many people justify taking pleasure in another person’s pain by calling it Karma or justice. And how we can no longer retain the moral high ground while wishing ill upon someone else. This is often true in religious circles. Religious people are prone to wanting payment of sins, especially if one has a Catholic background. This attitude, however, is opposite of what the Bible directs.

      The Bible says, “ all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23) The Bible reminds us that righteousness is not earned by works or by sufferings. It’s based on one thing, and one thing only, and that’s the expansive, inclusive, love, of a perfect, all-knowing God who works with us in the process of transformation. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Who are we to make people pay penance when God doesn’t even require it? Are we greater than God to require payment? 
       Jesus says about retaliation,"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39) The Messages translation says, "No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."

      When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, he changes our heart. So if we are punishing someone, making them pay penance, the root may be our relationship or lack thereof with Jesus. Someone filled with the Holy Spirit is also filled with His grace, filled with his kindness, filled with his patience toward others.  When God dwells in our hearts we no longer want revenge and payment of hurts. Instead, we pray like Jesus, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”