Article November 18, 1933 Issue

Forgiveness

EDWARD BUCKLEY

A Christian virtue profoundly valuable to the Christian Scientist, one that should be most earnestly cultivated, is that of forgiveness. It partakes of the nature of divine Love. This virtue was exercised by Christ Jesus in a degree unsurpassed. He taught and constantly practiced forgiveness. In answer to Peter's query, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Jesus replied, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Then Jesus proceeded to illustrate his teaching by the parable of the unmerciful servant who, after he had been himself forgiven in turn cast a fellow servant into prison until he should pay the debt. Therefore "his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him"—until he should forgive. And the Master concluded this parable by saying, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

In the inspired writings of the Bible, God is frequently referred to as showing forth forgiveness; for instance, in the one hundred and third Psalm we read, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;" and, again, Isaiah voices God's promise, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Hence Jesus had profound and fundamental reasons for urging the forgiveness which he himself gave: "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." True forgiveness is a divinely scientific attitude which, when once attained and maintained, establishes in human consciousness the understanding of man's at-one-ment with God: the divine relationship between Principle and its idea—cause and effect. Merely saying, "I forgive," is not enough; while perhaps a necessary first step, this must be accompanied by recognition of the reason why forgiveness must be genuine and complete, even "from your hearts."

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