Forgiveness and Retribution

It is no part of the bargain that we are never to commit trespasses.  The bargain is that if we would be forgiven we must forgive them that trespass against us.  Nor again is it part of the bargain that we are to let a man hob-nob with us when we know him to be a thorough blackguard, merely on the plea that unless we do so we shall not be forgiving him his trespasses.  No hard and fast rule can be laid down, each case must be settled instinctively as it arises.

As a sinner I am interested in the principle of forgiveness; as sinned against, in that of retribution.  I have what is to me a considerable vested interest in both these principles, but I should say I had more in forgiveness than in retribution.  And so it probably is with most people or we should have had a clause in the Lord’s prayer: “And pay out those who have sinned against us as they whom we have sinned against generally pay us out.”