Can your pastor forgive your sins (John 20:22-23)?

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by CCCyou

Hi Mystic - I think you're interpreting that (bolded) wrong - It's NOT instructing one to treat them badly.
I have always understood it to mean exactly as you stated, how Jesus treated them, as He would to any stranger,
inviting them in, trying to win them over, and not trying to force or enforce anything;
Catholics do NOT exercise that hideous abuse practice of 'shunning' , and neither should any Christian!

This is an excellent point. We are to treat pagans and tax collectors with love!

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by CCCyou

Hi Mystic - I think you're interpreting that (bolded) wrong - It's NOT instructing one to treat them badly.
I have always understood it to mean exactly as you stated, how Jesus treated them, as He would to any stranger,
inviting them in, trying to win them over, and not trying to force or enforce anything;
Catholics do NOT exercise that hideous abuse practice of 'shunning' , and neither should any Christian!

But you read and understand it that way because you have met and know God and He remains with you. Most do not.

[CCCyou]

Originally Posted by MysticPhD

But you read and understand it that way because you have met and know God and He remains with you. Most do not.

I am far from unique - it was St. Augustine in his Letter 211 (424ce) contains the phrase:
"... dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum ...",
which translates roughly to 'With love for mankind and hatred of sins.'
The phrase has become more famous as 'love the sinner but hate the sin'.!!

But yes I would agree, you cannot get very close to Christ without His Agape Love fusing with you.