Article July 18, 1936 Issue

Forgiveness

ALBERT F. GILMORE

In the most sublime of all holy petitions, known as the Lord's Prayer, God is asked to "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This supplication to Deity for forgiveness is qualified by a condition to be fulfilled by the petitioner—"as we forgive our debtors." Here is a definite mental state to be attained, in order to obtain that forgiveness from our divine Father which is sought by all who voice this prayer.

What, then, does it mean to forgive our debtors in order that we, too, may be forgiven? Who are our debtors? It is they who may hold toward us thoughts unlike God, good. Such thoughts may take the form of hatred, of jealousy, of resentment or malice, of the desire for revenge, based upon a personal sense of injury or misrepresentation; and because of this, the persons who hold these thoughts may come to be regarded as our enemies. These are they toward whom the need is to exercise forgiveness, in order to obtain divine mercy for ourselves.

While from a material standpoint, that is, while we hold man to be a mortal, this may seem a difficult task, yet when the problem is approached scientifically, in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science, its seeming difficulties are resolved, and the way becomes bright with blessings. When it is learned that man is God's likeness, it is readily acknowledged that man, the real man, must be spiritual and perfect. God's likeness could be naught else. Does it not follow that man, being perfect, has never committed an untoward act, has never held a hateful thought? Mrs. Eddy assures us that man possesses no quality unlike God, who is infinite Love. Manifestly, the likeness of Love could reflect or possess no hateful thought, no sense of malice, jealousy, revenge, or resentment.

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