After 2,000 years science and psychology are finally
catching up with the teachings of Jesus.
A recent article in the Washington Post reported that psychologists are
discovering the power of forgiveness for health and well-being. “A new analysis spanning more than 200,000
people across 23 countries and published in NPJ Mental Health
Research, a Nature publication, found that forgiveness may be more than a
moral ideal. It appears to function as a psychological ideal as well, across
cultures.”[i]
The article went on to say, “Scientists call this
dispositional forgiveness, and the idea marks a growing shift in the field that
researchers believe has the potential to reshape not only our family and
romantic relationships, but also our workplaces — and even geopolitical
dynamics. … what happens when forgiveness becomes an ordinary, practiced way of
moving through the world.”
Forgiveness is a major theme in Jesus’ teaching. He taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.” He concluded
the model prayer by saying, “For if you forgive other people for
their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if
you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not
forgive your offenses,” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
Peter might have felt proud of himself when he asked Jesus, “Lord,
how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus’ response must have shocked him, “I do
not say to you forgive up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven,”
(Matthew 18:21-23 KJV).
Following Peter’s question, Jesus told a story about a man
who was deep in debt. His master was
going to have him sold, along with his wife and children to settle the debt. He begged for mercy and his master forgave
the debt entirely. That same man found
another who owed him a paltry sum. Instead of forgiving, as he had been
forgiven, he attacked his debtor and had him thrown into prison. When the master who forgave him found out, he
said, “‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged
me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just
as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry,
and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does
not forgive his brother his trespasses,” (Matthew 18:23-35).
From the Cross Jesus cried out, “Father forgive them for
they know not what they do.” He gave His life that our sins might be forgiven. “If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” (1 John
1:9). We who have been forgiven must
forgive others. Forgiveness is essential to all human relationships as well as
our relationship to the Father.
My wife and I have been married 57 years. When people ask her the secret to a long
marriage, she always quotes Ruth Bell Graham and says, “Two good forgivers.”
[i] Washington
Post, April 23, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment