​Forgiveness

Make the Habit of Forgiving Others

"Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times." - Matthew 18:21-22

"A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 12:34

Jesus teaches us always to forgive, therefore we should learn to make a habit of this. To make forgiving a standard practice in little things and even in big things. We should always forgive, even if the other person is not sorry.

Nothing is worst than hell and no one deserves hell unless they want to go there. Our role is to love one another therefore we forgive one another.

Why we should forgive - The imitation of Christ

"Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ." - Ephesians 4:31-32

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven." - Luke 6:37

Not forgiving others is like holding on to poison and slowly drinking it. Just get rid of it, it does no good for anyone.

Seeking forgiveness and cleansing the soul.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - Proverbs 28:13

For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences." - Matthew 6:14-15

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us." - Psalms 103:12

No matter how many sins and how serious they are, never believe that you are unredeemable. If we seek forgiveness it will be given to us. No amount of evil we do can overcome Jesus' power to forgive us. Jesus has paid the price on the Cross for us.

The Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is of great value to those who seek forgiveness and cleansing of their soul.

Use this Sacrament often to clean the soul of every sin you can think of and be holy.

Reconciliation

"If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift." - Matthew 5:23-24

"Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." - Galatians 6:1

"Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners." - 1 Corinthians 15:33

"And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6

"Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid." - 2 Timothy 3:5

"But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican." - Matthew 18:15-17

Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. While we should always forgive others, we should also be careful to reconcile with others. Jesus tells us that we should always forgive, but this does not mean we should repeatedly place ourselves in the same position. If we no longer trust someone, we shouldn't;' reconcile with them. Reconciliation may come later on if the other person has shown some trust can be restored. This is prudent.

Forgive yes, but reconcile prudently.

Restoration

"And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter going out, wept bitterly." - Luke 22:61-62

"He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. Amen, amen I say to thee, when thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself, and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not. And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me." - John 21:17-19

"Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." - Hebrews 10:17

Forgiveness can lead to reconciliation and to restoration. Jesus knew what was in Peter's heart. Jesus restored Peter by telling Peter to follow Him.

If we restore a relationship with someone we must remember not to bring up past disputes. If we are not able to do this then we have not fully restored the relationship and we are still holding onto poison residue and using it as an advantage in the relationship. Let it go, the poison may end the relationship altogether.

For our relationship with God. If our sins have already been forgiven, do not think of the past with bitterness or regret. The devil will use this against us and tempt us. God has restored us, we just need to finish the race.