ForgivenessThe Importance of

Forgiveness

Forgiveness• Forgiveness is typically defined as the

process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offence, difference or mistake and or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.

Forgiveness Forgiveness accordingly to The Oxford English Dictionary is… “to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt”

• Studies shows that people who forgive are happier than those who hold resentments.

(forgiving.org)

• The first study to look at how forgiveness improves physical health discovered that when people think about forgiving an offender it leads to improved functioning in their cardiovascular and nervous system.

(“Granting Forgiveness or Harboring Grudges: Implication for Emotions, Physiology and Health”)Oyen…

Judaism• In Judaism if a person causes harm,

but then sincerely and honestly apologizes to the wronged individual and tries to rectify the wrong, the wronged individual is religiously required to grant forgiveness.

Christianity• “Then Peter came and said to Him,• Lord how often shall my brother sin against

me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?• Jesus said to him,• I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up

to seventy-seven times• Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)

Islam

Islam teaches that God is Al-Ghaffur “ The All Forgiving”

Buddhism In Buddhism, forgiveness is seen as a practice to prevent harmful thoughts from causing havoc on one’s mental well-being.• “Psychjourney ; introduction to Buddhism Series”

The Gospel

PatienceBe patient, because this is also a charity; everyone should practice the law of charity astaught by Christ, Who is God's Envoy. Charity given to the poor in the form of a]ms is the easiestof all. However, there is another kind of charity which is much more laborious and so consequentlyoffers higher merit. That is to forgive all those placed in your pathway by God to act as instrumentsfor your suffering and to test your patience.

CHAPTER 10

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL

FORGIVE OTHERS SO THAT GOD MAY FORGIVE YOU

Mercy is a complement to mildness, because the person who is not merciful cannot bemild and pacific. Mercy consists of being able to forget and forgive all offence. Hate and rancourdenotes a Spirit without any elevation or magnanimity. Being able to forget offences is the mark ofan elevated soul, which does not perturb itself with the blows it may be dealt.

However, there are two very different ways of forgiving: the first is noble and great, trulygenerous without any hidden thoughts, which delicately avoids hurting the self-esteem andsusceptibility of the adversary, even when that same adversary has no justification for his or heracts. The second, on the other hand, is when someone who has been offended, or thinks they havebeen offended, imposes humiliating conditions on the supposed adversary, making felt the weightof the pardon, which can only cause further irritation instead of calming

RECONCILIATION WITH YOUR ADVERSARIES

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest at any

time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, andthou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, tillthou hast paid the uttermost farthing (Matthew, 5:25 & 26).

When Jesus recommends that we should reconcile ourselves with our adversaries as soon aspossible, this is not merely with the object of pacifying any discords during the actual existence, butprincipally to avoid their perpetuation into the future life. Jesus said: " No one can leave this prisonuntil the last cent of their debt has been paid," that is to say, not until God's justice has beencompletely satisfied

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Forgive

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• Source: http://www.kardecian.org/mocidade-espirita.html