Is it wiser to ask permission or just do what you want and ask for forgiveness later?

One of the central characteristics of living in the 21st century is the elevation of individualism.

Not just ordinary individualism, but selfish individualism.

So much so, this little tidbit would be fitting for many:

I gave a little tea party this afternoon, at 3.
Twas very small, 3 guests in all – I, myself, and me.
Myself ate all the sandwiches while I drank all the tea.
Twas also I who ate the pie and passed the cake to me.

Okay, so many people may not be so overt about their individualism, or the selfishness packed within it, but it’s still there, just better hidden under the cloak of good deeds, kind of like the idea tucked in this little story from Today in the Word:

One cold winter’s day a crowd of people stood in front of a pet shop window and watched a litter of puppies snuggling up to each other. One woman laughed and said, “What a delightful picture of brotherhood! Look at how those puppies are keeping each other warm!” A man next to her replied, “No, ma’am, they’re not keeping each other warm — they’re keeping themselves warm.”

A more modern take on how to live life today is this popularly brandished advice: “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than seek permission.”

In other words, just go ahead and do what you want, and if it offends or hurts or harms or bothers someone, you can just ask for forgiveness later. But by all means, don’t miss out on what you want to do, regardless of what others think.

Such an idea and attitude couldn’t be further — or more in contradiction to — the example Jesus lived for us, and what the Bible plainly teaches us, which is more like this:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had,” Philippians 2:3-5.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us,” Romans 12:3.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other,” Romans 12:9-10.

“The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these,” Mark 12:31.

You can’t look beyond yourself to consider the interest of others, or really love and honor others, by plowing through life doing whatever you want without first considering others — and possibly asking permission. The, “just do it and ask for forgiveness later” is the epitome of selfish individualism that is not the godly life followers of Jesus are called to live.

Why, then, do so many like that “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than seek permission” philosophy so much? Because deep down we know if we first considered others — and that includes God — we couldn’t go forward with our selfish desires. But editing our lives with the consideration of others, and especially of God, is precisely how we’re supposed to live in this world.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, it’s wiser to ask permission first than do whatever you want and then insincerely seek forgiveness.

Scotty