Expert: Edward Bode - 4/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: I don't really understand being punished by God for sins vs. forgiveness of sins by Christ.  I was involved in very bad things, and prayed for God to help.  Because I didn't repent on my own or follow God's way, do I have to be punished for my sins?  Also, can Judgement Day come at anytime during a man's life, meaning before he dies.  Can God take away his gift of life because it was use for sin, even if you are asking for help?  I'm just very confused.  How do you know how to repent or even that your sick before asking God for help and then when you get the help told that you were too sick and wicked to help???

ANSWER: Lisa, God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth [1 Timothy 2:3-5].
During our life, no one who truly repents of sin is excluded from forgiveness through the power of God and our divine Savior, Jesus Christ.  So, anyone is able to avoid the punishment for sin, an offense against God and so subject to His punishment.  Sin is an abuse of the free will which we enjoy and an abdication of the love due to God as Creator and Benefactor.
Conversion from sin usually begins with prayer to God for guidance and help. Conversion proceeds to a sorrow for and a detestation of sin.  One then comes to a love of God and sorrow for sin because sin is an offense against God, our loving Creator and Savior.  Such sorrow includes a sincere resolution and effort to avoid serious sin in the future.
Lisa, you write in the category of "Catholic."  If you are a Catholic, confer with a local Catholic priest about your confusion and the way to forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  If you are not a Catholic, and would like more from me on the process of forgiveness and of knowing the truth, please write again.
I'll pray today for you, Lisa.  Pray yourself for God's enlightenment and help.  May God bless your efforts.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer.  I'm not sure how to pay you??  I do have a follow up question if y our not too busy to answer.  

Once lost in one's life, I would say that the "wickedness" or the nature of the disease of "wickedness" takes over one's life.  It's a battle and sometimes here, you are too "sick" to repent.  You don't even realize how sick you are, you think your okay.  Happy even.  But, obviously deep down you are very ill.  Well, how do you repent from this place?  How do you be sorry when you feel not sorry?  Does that just make you a "tear" or bad seed or just sick?  Are some people just evil?  All I did was leave a letter because I people told me that's what I should do and I knew something was wrong with me, just not sure how to fix it!  Anyway, how can you not be punished when you are sick with wickedness?  How can you know Christ this way, because you wouldn't be in that position in the first place if you did.  I know God says no man has an excuse because it's written on our hearts, so my question I guess is are you just screwed if you don't have Christ in your life and get very sick with wickedness and pray to God instead of just walk away?  Can God decide that your free will was too abused and you no longer get your life?  

Thanks for any advice,
Lisa

Answer
You are correct that "it's written on our hearts."  The famous St. Augustine [4th century AD]wrote that our hearts are made for God and they are restless until they rest in God.  He led a very dissolute life, then changed and became a very holy person.  You can read his autobiographsy, Confessions.
The realization that one is "sick" can be the beginning of taking the needed steps [recall what I wrote in my first response]to find God.  
Jesus said: seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened.  We often do not know where we will find God, but He is there with His help. God is ready.  Read the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11ff.
People do things that are evil.  The evil is a sickness since no created activity can quench the divine desire within.
Feeling sorrow is not the same as being sorry.  We can be sorry even though we do not feel it.  
Where there is life there is hope.  We can turn away from evil deeds and find God.  We can replace evil acts with good ones.
Prayer is an excellent way to begin.
While free will can be influenced by past actions, we can counteract the evil influence of the past.  From what you write, I think that you are still able with your free will and God's help to recoup your life.
I am not a trained mental health professional or a spiritual director. My first response suggested an appropriate local starting point for spiritual direction.
Your reference to "leave a letter" was beyond my understanding.
I prayed for you this morning at Mass.  If you have some found some benefit from what I have said to proceed on the roard to sorrow and repentence, that is more than enough "pay" for me.
Again, Lisa, best wishes and my prayers.