THE FOUR STEPS OF AUTHENTIC FORGIVENESS

“Jesus portrayed a deliverance from the past which in itself promised a triumph for the future. Forgivenessthus provided salvation. The beauty of divine love, once fully admitted to the human heart, forever destroys the charm of sin and the power of evil.” [UB, 188:5.3]

Thought Adjuster: “Over 2,000 years have passed since Jesus delivered his passionate teachings about the ins and outs of what should amount to straightforward ACTS of Forgiveness. Sadly, humankind has, for the most part, failed to follow through in thoughts, feelings, and actions. Its persistent regurgitations of generational, collective, or personal grudges coupled with the prolific manufacturing of new ones are a far cry from the blissful and peaceful state of the Kingdom of the Hearts inaugurated and promoted by Jesus.

Divine forgiveness is meted outindependentlyof the offenders’ ‘heart-titude.’ Because of its unconditional nature, divine love is magnanimous in its forgiveness. Youreceiveit freely, not as the outcome of tough negotiations demanding penance or sacrifice as a ransom. Put in Jesus’ words: “In the gospel of the kingdom the Father goes forth to find [his lost sheep] even before they have seriously thought of repentance.” [UB,159:1.2] He pointed out that forgiveness only requires the token sacrifice of the dead weight of pride and selfishness— “the spiritual deliverance from all grudges, grievances, anger and the lust for selfish power and revenge.” [UB, 141:3.8]

In another one of his brilliant PowerPoint presentations, Jesus unveiled the Technique of Forgiveness: “Faith is the price you pay for entrance into the family of God, but forgivenessis the act of God which accepts your faith as the price of admission. And the reception of the forgivenessof God by a kingdom believer involves a definite and actual experience and consists of the following four steps, the kingdom steps of inner righteousness:

1. God’s forgivenessis made actually available and is personally experienced by man just in so far as he forgives his fellows.

2. Man will not truly forgive his fellows unless he loves them as himself.

3. To thus love your neighbor as yourselfisthe highest ethics.

4. Moral conduct, true righteousness, becomes, then, the natural result of such love.” [UB, 170:3.3-7]

Reflect on this transformative message of personal salvation. Assimilate its spiritual nutrients to gain mastery in the liberating art of forgiveness, putting to rest the haunting ghosts of your past. It will set you free to operate serenely and optimally in the present, doing your due diligence to lay the groundwork for a future brimming with light and life.”