What is this thing forgiveness? In the Christian faith, forgiveness is a cornerstone principle. Forgiveness enables each of us to move forward one step closer to our Loving Heavenly Father.
Why do we need forgiveness? Each of us falls short of our potential in this life. I know I do. Perhaps my daily walk isn’t always filled with conscious sin or mistakes, but more often I am lacking in what I could have done to lift the burden of another. These errors fall in the category of sins of omission rather than sins of commission. Or, things we do on purpose vs. things we don’t do that we could have done. Like a double edged sword, we are blessed to know there is always more good we can do and we are cursed because we know that we are never done. Coping with this reality does require perspective, eternal perspective that is obtained through active Christianity.
Why is forgiveness from Heavenly Father possible? John 3:16, the most widely displayed scripture during football games says that God sent His Son so we might be saved. This is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Savior, gave His life so we could be saved. He took upon Himself our sins and stands as a mediator with Heavenly Father, or, He “negotiated” our salvation.
Is this salvation free? All will be saved, yet the nature of this salvation is based upon our actions in this life. While we will all be saved, our final disposition in the eternities is based on our obedience in this life and our willingness to repent and forgive and to seek forgiveness ourselves.
How do I seek forgiveness? When I know I need to repent and seek forgiveness, I do best to repent immediately. I know I need to repent when my conscience tells me. I feel this need through a sense of emptiness or guilt. These feelings are an indicator of spiritual pain just as physical pain is an indicator of trouble.
Key steps to forgiveness include a realization of sin, prayerful confession to Heavenly Father, confession to proper authority if the sin is serious, desire to no longer commit that sin, determination to change and restitution for the sin if possible. These steps can be challenging and require serious effort to make a significant change. It is not always easy, but is always worth it.
This gift of forgiveness and refreshment is a miracle. To think that the Savior can save us even from ourselves and help us enjoy life more fully each and every day is an absolute miracle. I have been a student of self-help, motivational thinking, success training, business training, sales training, university education and plenty of media driven concepts regarding a better life and when I weigh all of them in the balance against the miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, they come up wanting. There is no comparison to the miracle of forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ and the sweet feeling of liberty contained therein.
I encourage you to repent, forgive and seek forgiveness that you might be free and have more joy.
God Bless You and God Bless America!
