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LAMHIL SEPTEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 15<br />
and what it means to forgive. I think that<br />
the hardest people to forgive are the ones<br />
who are the closest to you. If someone else<br />
wrongs you, it is easier to forgive, because<br />
you most probably don t expect much from<br />
that person anyway. However, if someone<br />
who is close to you, a friend or partner for<br />
example, does something, which requires<br />
forgiveness, then it means that they have<br />
betrayed your trust to some extent. I think<br />
that the level of trust breached determines<br />
how easy it is to then forgive someone. I<br />
think if someone made a genuine mistake<br />
and this hurt you, then there is nothing to<br />
forgive, but if someone intentionally betrays<br />
your trust or does something even though<br />
they know it will hurt you, then this makes<br />
it much more difficult to forgive. Keep in<br />
mind, hurting people often hurt other<br />
people as a result of their own pain. If<br />
somebody is rude and inconsiderate, you<br />
can almost be certain that they have some<br />
unresolved issues inside. They have some<br />
major problems, anger, resentment, or<br />
some heartache they are trying to cope with<br />
or overcome. The last thing they need is<br />
for you to make matters worse by<br />
responding angrily.<br />
Biblical Perspective of forgiveness .<br />
I think, by remembering<br />
where we stand, by meaning our words<br />
when we say in our prayers each night<br />
Forgive our trespasses* as we forgive those<br />
that trespass against us. We are offered<br />
forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it<br />
is to refuse God s mercy for ourselves. I<br />
think that if God forgives us we must<br />
forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost<br />
like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal<br />
than Him.<br />
The willingness to forgive is a sign of<br />
spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one<br />
of the great virtues to which we all should<br />
aspire. Imagine a world filled with<br />
individuals willing both to apologize and<br />
to accept an apology. Is there any problem<br />
that could not be solved among people<br />
who possessed the humility and largeness<br />
of spirit and soul to do either or both<br />
when needed? Darkness cannot drive<br />
out darkness; only light can do that. Hate<br />
cannot drive out hate; only love can do<br />
that.<br />
Some of the Bible verses, which<br />
talk about the forgiveness, are placed<br />
below.<br />
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV<br />
For if you forgive men when they sin<br />
against you, your heavenly Father will also<br />
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men<br />
their sins, your Father will not forgive your<br />
sins.<br />
Matthew 18: 21-22 NIV<br />
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord,<br />
how many times shall I forgive my brother<br />
when he sins against me? Up to seven<br />
times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not<br />
seven times, but seventy-seven times.<br />
Matthew 5:23-24 NIV<br />
Therefore, if you are offering your gift<br />
at the altar and there remember that your<br />
brother has something against you, leave<br />
your gift there in front of the altar. First<br />
go and be reconciled to your brother; then<br />
come and offer your gift.<br />
Let !FORGIVENESS be a<br />
guiding principle of one s life and let us<br />
enjoy peaceful , physical and Spiritual,<br />
environment.
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