Article September 21, 2009 Issue

WHY FORGIVE?

BY ARNO PRELLER

Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honoured;
May your kingdom come, and your will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us each day the bread we need for the day,
Forgive us what we owe to you,
as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us.
Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.

—Matthew 6:9–13, J.B. Phillips Version

A large group of people was gathering in one of the houses of a small port city. Word had gotten out that a man who had really been reaching people's hearts with his message was giving a talk. What was he talking about that caused such a stir? Repentance, rebirth, and forgiveness. Not only that, he was also healing people.