Christ will
always forgive us. No matter what we did, no matter how many times we did it,
no matter how terrible it was, if we properly repent, Christ will forgive.
Just as
Christ will forgive us of our wrongdoing, we should forgive the people in our
lives who might hurt us or our loved ones.
Matthew 6:14-15 says:
“For
if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.”
In a First Presidency Message
President Hinckley said, “A spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and
compassion toward those who may have wronged us is of the very essence of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of us has need of this spirit. The whole world has
need of it. The Lord taught it. He exemplified it as none other has exemplified
it. …Each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon
and mercy.”
Pondering:
·
In what ways does Christ forgive us?
·
How do we use the Atonement in our lives?
·
How can we forgive others the way Christ
forgives us?
·
How can we forgive ourselves?
o Learn
to understand the Love our Heavenly Father has for us, and that through the
proper repentance process we can forgive ourselves and at last feel peace
Inspiring Examples of Forgiveness:
Inspiring Examples of Forgiveness:
Forgiveness and the power of Jesus Christ enable a man to survive losing his wife and several children in a car accident—and allow the offending driver to begin rebuilding his own life.
1 Nephi 7:16-21 is another
good example of forgiveness:
“16 And it
came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they
were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me,
for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for
they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to
be devoured by wild beasts.
17 But it
came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith
which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even
give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.
18 And it
came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed
from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto
them again.
19 And it
came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon
me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and
one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did
soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.
20 And it
came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch
that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive
them of the thing that they had done against me.
21
And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and
I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness.
And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the
Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.”
Videos:
Watch this Bible Video about
Christ forgiving.
The story of the Prodigal Son
is a primary example of forgiveness.
Invitation:
We invite you to evaluate
your relationships with others and yourself. Are there any relationships where
you get frustrated easily, lose patience, cannot understand their perspective,
or you just feel that you don’t have charity towards them? If there are areas
where you are prideful or judgmental, say a prayer to invite Christ to help you
forgive others or yourself.
Make this
prayer genuine. Try saying it out loud and imagine that Heavenly Father and the
Savior are there with you. Truly express all your feelings and lay the burden upon
Christ. You may want to ask how you can forgive, and how you can love deeper.
Ask to see the eternal potential of yourself and others, and ask how you can be
a better friend to yourself, others, and Christ. Then LISTEN for a reply from
the Spirit. Then ACT.
Other Resources:
James E. Foust, The Healing Power of Forgiveness
President Uchtdorf, Point of Safe Return
Luke 15 – The Prodigal Son
More on Chris Williams, and
how his family died in a drunk driving accident.
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