Forgiveness

Tossa Cromwell
October 24, 2009

In Christianity, forgiveness is very important, right? How about the concept of being cleansed of one's sins?

Consider the "seven deadly sins":

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins [wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony] Whatever these sins are, Christianity tells us that we can be cleansed of our sins through confession (or perhaps different methods in some denominations.) Or is belief in Jesus enough for absolution from one's sin?

I am scared by the implications of sins being forgiven. What does forgiveness even mean? If Jesus or God can forgive you for your sins, what would that mean? Shouldn't there be some specific purpose for forgiving sins?

God's son Jesus was so precious that he could forgive people's sins when they chose to have faith in who Jesus was. Faith that Jesus was greater than death.

Why would God choose to forgive people when they believed in Jesus? A fallen man's belief in Jesus creates a condition for God to work in that person's life. Jesus, in spirit, serves as a lifeline between God and the believer. What a wonderful victory Jesus achieved through his resurrection! He defeated the devil and could bring humanity to a greater realm of resonance with God!

Yet the secret that has been buried throughout history is that Jesus did not come to die on the cross. His resurrection after his body died on the cross is what allows for spiritual salvation of his followers. Yet, even devout Christians still find themselves sinning. Then, the salvation attainable through faith in Jesus is incomplete.

Complete salvation should allow people to live in total and complete separation from evil. That is what the Divine Principle, the Blessing and a life of attendance of True Parents (and the True Family) offers. We are in a totally new age -- a radically new dimension of reality. We can be married and have children in a realm that Satan or evil cannot touch! Of course, if we allow Satan and evil to invade, it will, no matter who you are. Even children of the Messiah are not exempt from sin if they choose to ignore the Divine Principle, the Blessing, or the True Parents. True Father attained personal victory over Satan, but he is still fighting, as the recent helicopter incident might indicate. We all must keep fighting, and never ever give up!

The moment we give in to sin and evil behavior, we have need of forgiveness. Yes, True Parents' forgiveness can separate Satan from you and allow you to live as if you hadn't sinned in the first place.

But what is forgiveness really? It merely allows you to re-enter a relationship with God, when before Satan had some claim on your soul. That is significant, to be sure, but it is not everything! The Divine Principle clearly teaches us what is necessary after sinning. It is indemnity. For better or worse, we must take responsibility for our actions, or our descendants or family members or countrymen will be responsible to pay indemnity for our sins! I for one do NOT want to create a bill that someone else will pay for me!

What is the thinking of a greater man? It is to take responsibility and pay indemnity for the sins of others. That is what True Father did in his life, until his 80th birthday. But now, he can no longer pay indemnity for the sins of others. We, the true believers and inheritors of Father's teachings, must be willing and able to shoulder the burdens of humanity's sins on our shoulders, and pay the necessary indemnity. That is only way to relieve (liberate and give complete release) to God's Heart of pain, sorrow, anger and resentment.

There is a saying I came across in a book series called the Wheel of Time. It is:

"Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain"

I've felt the mountain... and I know that the True Children and their families are feeling it. Give a holler if you are feeling it, too!!