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The Comfort of Forgiveness





Forgiveness is the state of pardon. God has given us the promise of forgiveness. But pardon is possible only when we confess our sins. Also, only those who forgive their brothers may expect to be forgiven of God.



Teaching about prayer, Jesus directs us among other things to forgive the wrongs that others have done to us so that our heavenly Father will forgive us the wrongs we have done.



Some of us have sworn never to forgive persons who hurt us so much. However, we must forgive for these reasons. We need to be gracious to others and forgive those who have hurt us badly because God has been gracious to us.

We also need to forgive others because the alternative is bitterness. Resentment will not solve the problem. It will rather make us feel worse. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes -Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge. We further need to show grace to and forgive others because God expects us to do it.





Studies find that anger, vengefulness and all the negative ruminations that come with not forgiving can damage the human organism, especially the heart. Indeed, so-called forgiveness interventions (essentially practice sessions) have successfully reduced symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease, chronic pain and even drug addiction.





Someone once told John Wesley, “I could never forgive that person!” Wesley replied, “Then I hope you never sin.” Jesus is by the parable of the unforgiving servant, showing the necessity of forgiveness. “Only those who forgive their brethren may expect to be forgiven of God. We should pass by injuries without reckoning how often to forgive and forget. God multiplies His pardon, and so should we. We should make it our constant practice to forgive offence till it becomes habitual.







Shalom

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