What Is Forgiveness?

Jesus taught that forgiveness Is central to the relationship between God and humans. Unconditional love and forgiveness are closely related to each other, because without originates, It Is Impossible to love unconditionally. As Jesus suffered on the cross, he asked for the forgiveness of his executioners, which can be found In Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them; for the know not what they do. ” This Is the greatest example of unconditional love and forgiveness, and as Christians, we aspire to be as loving and forgiving as Jesus.

Another example of Jesus’ teachings of forgiveness can be found in Mark 1 1 :25, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”. Through this quote we are taught to not just act as though we have forgiven someone, but to truly forgive them. What can also be understood from this is that only those who practice this teaching of Jesus can fully receive God’s forgiveness.

The life of Christians includes the practice of forgiveness in order to be able to love others unconditionally, as well as be forgiven by God. Jesus Is also our role model as to how we pray. Jesus’ life of prayer consisted of praying before meals, giving thanks, praying for others, shared prayer and praying fore making important decisions, but his most valued form of prayer was private prayer. An example of Jesus’ teachings of private prayer can be found in Matthew 6: 5-15.

During this, Jesus says “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ” It is also within this reference where Jesus teaches us the Lord’s prayer. Although he was half divine, Jesus was also half human whilst on earth. Therefore, he was subjected to the same temptations, frustrations and sorrows that Christians are also affected by in our lives everyday. Through all these struggles that Jesus encountered, he prayed to God in private for help and strength to complete the task he had been given.

We as Christians pray following this example of Jesus life of prayer and teachings of private prayer when we are faced with our own hardships and are in need of guidance. Jesus has taught us how we are to pray through his own to why to Christians. In the process of his teachings, Jesus has showed that human beings can be holy wrought their compassion towards the poor, marginal’s and dispossessed. Jesus’ had immense compassion towards these people of need and reacted through acts of mercy.

We as Christians have learnt to be generous, giving and to be empathetic throughout our lives by the examples of Jesus’ compassion. Also as followers of Christ, we are encouraged through Jesus’ teachings to know our obligations to assist those in need in order to be Christians. This teaching can be found in Luke 18: 22-23, where Jesus told a young, rich ruler that he was to “Sell all that you own and stubbier the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.

But the young man did not have the qualities to be a disciple of Jesus, because he showed that his love for his riches was greater than his love for God and was reluctant to give up his possessions. Jesus’ examples of compassion for the poor, marginal’s and dispossessed have shaped how Christians practice acts of mercy towards people of need. These acts of empathy are one of the many reasons why Christians view Jesus as the perfect role model.