Repentance
The Good News
by
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“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us” (Matt 6: 12). The word “forgive” is used twice in this prayer. The “forgive us …” has a process different from “… as we forgive …”. Forgiving others is therapeutic forgiveness; person centered, and aimed at healing self of emotional pain, conflict or crisis. When we experience this type of forgiveness there is an emotional release or catharsis that simultaneously calms and resolves the underlying issues. Often the offender may not and does not need to be involved in this process. We forgive. The desired outcome of forgiving others (including ourselves as “others”) is self-healing, self-purifying by purging self of anger, unresolved conflicts and frustrations. Whether it is faith based or not, counseling desires to help us heal and get over unforgiveness when we have been severely offended by someone or we have internalized negative impressions or criminalized ourselves.
On the other hand, “Forgive us our trespasses” is asking God to forgive our sins against Him. Because the Scriptures affirms that God by His very nature is compassionate and gracious there is the assumption that His forgiveness is guaranteed. Jonah after surviving a suicide attempt in his bid to avoid going on an errand to Nineveh came to this conclusion - “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. -- Jonah 4:2b (CSB). All that is true. God is ready and willing to forgive our sins and reconcile with us. He sent His only begotten son to die in atonement for our sins. Yet there is a condition for accessing this free and available pardon from sin. It is called REPENTANCE.
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About the Book
This book reflects on man’s unworthiness before God and why we must repent of our sins to enjoy salvation.
The author explains why repentance is such a significant pillar of salvation, the basis for the coming of Christ, and the theme of His message. He observes:
The word “forgive” is used twice in the Lord’s Prayer, but the process implied by “forgive us” differs from “as we forgive.”
The two sides of the narrow gate of salvation are believing in the Son of God and repentance from sin.
Seeking God’s forgiveness through repenting of our sins is a crucial ingredient to salvation and reconciliation with God in the hereafter and afterlife.
With the Gospel of Christ, there is the offer of an opportunity to repent and obtain forgiveness for all violations. When He sent His disciples out in pairs, they went and preached repentance. When He was ready to ascend, He restated the same instructions.
Join the author as he examines repentance as a clear manifestation of God’s grace.
About the Author
Osilama Osime, a retired medical practitioner, spent several years practicing tropical medicine in Sub-Sahara Africa. He is a student of the Bible and is particularly interested in the question of theodicy—or why God permits evil. He earned numerous degrees, including a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Benin, Benin City; a Master of Public Health from the Boston University School of Public Health; and a Master of Science from Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. He is married and has five grandchildren.