Forgiveness

What is the purpose of forgiveness? Forgiveness is the miracle treatment for resentment and for all that ails us and robs us of our joy in life. Resentment keeps us isolated from God, that is, it keeps us from knowing the Truth of our Oneness with That Which creates us.

Forgiveness is not denying the past. It's denying the power of the past over our present and future life. Forgiveness is not absolving the offender. It is a willingness to let the past be okay just the way it happened. Forgiveness is not an event but a process. Forgiveness may not be quick, and it may not be easy; but ultimately it will save our life.

What happens when we forgive? By forgiving, we take back the power we gave to the world(the person) to do us harm. By forgiving, we release ourselves--and the one who has hurt us--from the prison of our resentment. By forgiving, we free ourselves to live in the now and enjoy the eternal blessings of the Kingdom of God now. By forgiving, we free ourselves to live in the Eternal Now, without holding on to the past. By forgiving, we acknowledge the Christ(the perfection) within ourselves and the offender.

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others so that we can be forgiven: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

This is the world the way God made it. Every human being desires to be loved and to love. This is the way of life, and what we refuse to give we refuse to accept. Unfortunately, in our ignorance we have inhibited the action of God in our lives, and so we have cut ourselves off from the only Power that can help us.