Forgiveness

How does forgiveness affect our lives?

Sometimes, people think they have come across some new idea, some new insight into the way we work as human beings. For example, in reading recently about high blood pressure in "Outsmart High Blood Pressure", I read about a study on page 62 that recorded heart rates, blood pressure levels and perspiration for two groups of people. The people in the study were told to, "mentally relive hurtful memories, with two different endings: one in which they held a grudge, the other in which they forgave the offending parties."

What were the results? "The researchers determined that heart rates and blood pressure levels were 2½ times lower when the study volunteers forgave compared with when they held a grudge."

The study concluded that, "people can experience health benefits when they become forgiving, just as they experience health risks when they harbor anger and hostility."

Why should this study surprise us? We are designed to forgive and be forgiven.

We are designed in God's image.

Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Consider how God tells us live.

I Peter 1:14-21, "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

Are we acting as designed? We need to ask these questions:

Am I obedient to God?

Am I acting in a holy way?

Have I accepted the redemption that is in Christ when we:

Hear the word of God.	"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.	"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." John 8:24.
Repent of our sins.	"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3.
Confess our believe in Christ.	"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:10.
Are baptized for the remission of sin.	"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16.

Am I forgiving others as Jesus has set the example?

As he was crucified, Luke 23:34 records him saying, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Am I forgiving and forgiven as designed by God and instructed by God? If not, I need to take action and change.

-- Zachary Van Tassel, December 2003 --

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