THERE IS a disease which many medics and lay people pay no greater attention to in the management of our health. In fact, it is doubtful if medical science strictly trains health professionals in it. This is the disease of the soul – sin, and in this article, I specifically would like us to focus on the sin of unforgiveness, which is triggered through hurts or offenses that are perpetrated by close friends, spouses, mates, colleagues or neighbours.
Often, people who hold unforgiveness which breeds anger, resentment, hatred or bitterness in the heart are not encouraged to go to the hospital for medical doctors to examine and prescribe scientific medication for them. But there is one Physician we may go to for healing. His name is Jesus Christ. The only ‘medicine’ He prescribes to heal this troubling health condition is forgiveness. Forgiveness is matchlessly a free, powerful spiritual ‘medicine’ that heals depression, anxiety and others.
To prove as the only supreme Counselor and Healer of this disease, Jesus Christ had to pass its tests. The Bible says, Christ was tempted in every way yet He was without sin. Though He was often offended and hurt, our Lord harboured no bitterness, resentment, anger or unforgiveness in His heart against anyone. The apostle Peter who walked closely with Him bore witness about Him, saying “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten…” (1 Peter 2: 22- 23).
And when Christ Jesus was hung on the Cross after being humiliated, mocked, flogged and spat upon, He never was angry at His enemies; He never cursed or made any malicious comments against them which showed that He had no bad feeling against them. Rather, the Holy One of God prayed for His killers, saying “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23: 34).
The manner in which Christ Jesus forgave His killers reminds us of how Stephen, a loyal disciple of the Lord also forgave and prayed for those who arrested and stoned him to death. Stephen forgave them as he pleaded forgiveness for them. Scripture says, “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, ‘receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7: 59- 60).
Jesus Christ forgives, and people who are genuinely born of Him also learn to forgive. As a father is, so his sons are, as it is written in Scripture, “As he (God) is, so we are in this world.” God is a God of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. In other words, He empathizes with us and forgives us when we fall from grace and run to Him, confessing our sins through genuine repentance.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 9). But if we want God to forgive us our sins, then, we must be willing to forgive those who hurt or offend us as it is written, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6: 14- 15).
Now, what does it mean to forgive? To forgive is to stop being angry at someone who has hurt or offended you. It means letting go of bitterness, resentment, anger, rage or revenge. To forgive is to remove guilt and restore relationship. Now, to maintain a free heart or spirit, it is only advisable that a Christian forgives those who offend them or repents of the offenses they cause others and gladly participate in the forgiving and healing process.
There is no doubt that forgiveness is a great medicine; it tastes like a bitter pill in its usage, but it is incomparable. People who forgive heal themselves as forgiveness improves mental health, free our hearts of anxiety, stress, depression and frustration that robs us of sound sleep and logical thinking. By forgiveness, we normalize our blood pressure, improve our immune system, self-esteem and restore relationships.
Consequently, the Physician of physicians, Jesus Christ, who alone heals the disease of the soul by His Word, taught that we must be willing to forgive those who offend us no matter the gravity of the hurt caused. We must forgive 77 times seven. This means we should not dare hold grudges in our hearts against anyone. This places on us the need to pursue peace with all men and women in churches, politics, marriages, businesses, schools and communities; we should be peacemakers and not troublemakers.
To be able to forgive, we must realize how each one of us is prone to making mistakes or offending ourselves, and how much we also need to be forgiven. Now, Scriptures do not instruct us to refrain from repaying evil for evil for nothing; God knows best. Vengeance is His. God pays everyone according to their deeds. Therefore, let us forgive, and leave the punishment to God.
If Joseph could forgive his brothers who put him in a pit, later sold him into slavery and went home to tell a lie to their father Jacob that his last son whom he loved most had been killed by a beast, then, we also can forgive those who offend, hurt and plot evil against us. Forgiveness indeed, is a great medicine that heals us of stress, depression and other immune and psychological disorders.
jamesquansah@yahoo.com
FROM James Quansah, Kumasi