We face two kinds of wrongs: personal offenses and criminal acts. How you respond to these wrongs as a Christian can test your faith and knowledge of the teachings of Jesus. Here’s how the New Testament tells you to handle these situations and why it’s important for your relationship with God.
How to handle personal offenses as a Christian?
People sometimes do or say things that hurt us, and that’s a personal offense. Personal offenses refer to any unkind and upsetting comments or actions. Jesus tells us clearly what to do in these situations: “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (Luke 17:3-4) This lesson shows how necessary forgiveness is. And no, forgiving someone does not mean you are saying it’s okay for them to keep hurting you. All it means is that you are letting go of anger and resentment. Remember that repentance is a necessary condition of forgiveness. Suppose someone keeps hurting you repeatedly without changing their ways or apologizing. In that case, you should ask for help from fellow believers—and, if necessary, distance yourself from that person to find peace of mind and maintain your dignity.
How to handle criminal acts as a Christian?
Criminal acts refer to morally wrong actions, like theft or violence. These acts are different from personal offenses in that these acts are not only immoral on a personal level but also harm the fabric of society. Romans 13:1-6 reminds us that God has established authorities to address such wrongs. When someone commits a crime, it becomes something much bigger than a personal issue—it becomes a matter of justice. Say someone stole your friend’s money. Instead of letting go of the situation, your friend should use the legal system to get justice. The Bible supports the idea: “For I, the Lord, love justice…” (Isaiah 61:8). Know that justice is not about revenge but about ensuring safety and fairness for all. Justice is when the person who committed a criminal act is held responsible for their a c t i o n s, and society becomes safer.
Overcoming evil with good!
W h e t h e r you have been on the r e c e i v i n g end of a personal offense or a criminal act, you should try to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). You don’t have to pretend what happened didn’t happen but respond with kindness (like Jesus would). In situations involving personal offenses, forgive the person (but let them know that their actions caused hurt) and discuss what needs to be done to repair the relationship. In situations involving criminal acts, report the crime, support the legal process, and pray for the offender’s restoration into the community. Remember that the New Testament tells us not to let others keep hurting us or doing wrong things without consequences. It says we should forgive people in our hearts but also seek justice to ensure societal safety and order. God is both loving and just. He forgives our sins but also upholds justice. He wants His followers to love and forgive others and help keep the world orderly and fair as He does.
