Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness
Linked to Jesus’ teaching on love is his teaching on forgivenessTo grant pardon for a wrongdoing - to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer..
Forgiveness is an important part of Christianity. It does not mean that Christians let others get away with things, but more that they make a conscious effort to forgive and let go of feelings that come with bearing a grudge against a person.
These feelings of anger and hatred can cause harm to the person feeling them, so Jesus taught people to try and let them go.
Forgiveness also involves the person who has done wrong showing remorseRegret/sorrow for something you have done and the intention to reform or change..This could be done by praying to God to ask for forgiveness.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Question
Explain the Christian beliefs about forgiveness.
Christianity teaches that forgiveness is very important. Jesus taught that people should forgive, and Christians try to follow the path of Jesus. Forgiveness does not mean that the person who has wronged gets away with it, as they must show remorse as well. It is more about the victim letting go of the feelings of anger and hatred towards the person who has wronged them – for if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
This shows Christians that they will be rewarded for their forgiveness. The teaching from Jesus love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
reminds people that they should not hold onto feelings of anger and revenge.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
In the parableA story told by Jesus through which he teaches and illustrates moral lessons and principles. of the Prodigal Son, the father forgives his son when he returns and welcomes him home. In the same way, God waits for humans to realise what they have done wrong, ask for forgiveness and welcomes them back when they do. It is the willingness to ask for forgiveness and change one's behaviour that is central to the idea of forgiveness.
In the same way that God forgives humans, so humans should forgive those around them. If people fail to do so, they cannot expect to be forgiven by God.
If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.
Our Father
This same teaching is reflected in the Our Father prayer; Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
It is also not enough to forgive just once. Jesus says in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant that it is not enough simply to forgive someone seven times,
but seventy time seven
(Matthew 18:21-22) which implies as often as is needed.
Forgiving someone when they have caused harm or pain is a difficult thing to do, but in the Gospels Jesus sets an example. Jesus forgave those who crucified him, Jesus said, 'Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing.'
(Luke 23:34). This act of forgiveness shows that any act can be forgiven. In John’s Gospel (20:23) Jesus tells the disciples, "If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven".