PUTTING OFF THE OLD and putting on the new is a vital theme throughout the New Testament. Jesus clearly taught his followers the importance of being transformed, or born again. I think of this transformation as a spiritual awakening through which we discover what God created each of us to be—His own spiritual likeness, the reflection of divine Life, Truth, and Love.
One of the essential elements for transformation—for putting off old ways of limited thinking, old habits, old resentments and hurts—is forgiveness. To become new in Christ surely includes coming to an understanding of the real meaning of forgiving. And it may also require that we practice it sincerely—over and over again if necessary—until we get it right.
Didn't Jesus teach this very point? When asked, "If my brother sin against me, how many times do I forgive him? Is seven times sufficient?" See Matt. 18:21. Jesus answered that even this wasn't enough. The requirement is more like seventy times seven—or four hundred and ninety instances of forgiveness. This approaches what God is asking of us and what God is willing to do for us.
Even from the cross, Jesus showed the transforming way of Christian love and forgiveness. Of his brutal torturers, Jesus could pray, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34.
Yet, forgiveness never excuses sin. The wrongdoer still has to square with divine Principle, and work out his or her own salvation. But forgiveness frees us from the chains of resentment, anger, hatred, and also provides opportunity for the wrongdoer to see a better way. Again, as Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
To me, this is how we get beyond what can sometimes seem an impossible task of forgiveness. First, we turn to God, the Father-Mother of us all—for His forgiveness.
Can you imagine that those who crucified Jesus could have gone through with it if they had actually known what they were doing—if they had genuinely understood who Jesus was and what his mission represented? Or for that matter, if they had genuinely known who they themselves were, as the very likeness of God, as joint heirs with Christ, all held together in the great gospel of Love?
Jesus' words remind me of a statement in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures where Mary Baker Eddy observed, "If mortal mind knew how to be better, it would be better." Science and Health, p. 186. Can't we more readily forgive spiritual ignorance? And think about it. Aren't even malice aforethought or meanness each a form of ignorance? Jesus was saying that very thing about his malicious persecutors—"they know not what they do." They were ignorant of God's purpose for each of us. Jesus would show them. First, he would forgive them. Then, he would refuse to react to their malice—and then, he would refuse to be destroyed by their ignorant hatred.
With no burden of resentment, Jesus was free to come forth from the tomb. Jesus' undying forgiveness was the evidence of his steadfast love, and it is in expressing the love of divine Love that we, too, discover the eternal life that reflects divine Life.
So, if we can agree that Jesus shows the vital importance of forgiving others, perhaps this divine demand also relates to what we are willing to do for ourselves. In other words, are we willing to forgive ourselves?
Who among us doesn't need forgiveness? And often, it's not only that we may have hurt someone else, but that we've actually wronged who we are. Have we ever thought wrongly about ourselves—not accepting who we are as God's reflection? Have we ever demeaned ourselves? Have we been ungrateful for God's blessings? Have we believed that we are sick or sinful? Then we can humbly repent and depend on the essential message of the same prayer Jesus offered from the cross, and include ourselves: "Father, forgive me; for I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't realize who I am as your pure and perfect expression."
Forgive others—and forgive yourself, when it's needed. Then you will feel God's transforming love as you are being made new men and women—as you are becoming who God has already created you to be: His beloved sons and daughters, in whom He is well pleased!
Contributing Editor
