Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a fundamental Christian tenet. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus asks God to “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:12, NLV)
More than that, Jesus then went on to inform us how important it is to forgive others: “If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also. If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLV)
It’s amazing how often the requirements that God places on us are actually beneficial for not only our spiritual health, but also for our physical and mental well-being.
Dr Debi Silber has written an article entitled: ‘Why forgiveness is hard… and why we should do it anyway.’ The link to the full article can be found here (and also below), but this quote is part of her conclusion: “Forgiveness can lead to personal growth, improved relationships, and a greater sense of peace and well-being. If that’s not enough of a reason, forgiveness is good for your physical health too.” (Dr Debi Silber, 2024)
Think how much better our world would be if forgiveness was standard practice rather than being unusual! In His wisdom God knows not only what is better for us as individuals, but also how we can function better as a society.
The Bible is full of God’s plans for us and we encourage you to read it!
Reference
Silber, D. (2024, March 1). "Why Forgiveness is So Hard... And Why We Should Do It Anyway" The PBT Institute.