Forgiveness is letting go of grudges and bitterness. Not forgiving someone is equivalent to staying trapped in a jail of bitterness. Acts 5: 31 says, “All sins are forgiven freely.” This is the firm stance of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church does not permit the sale of indulgences. BETTY AMUKPO interrogates. Is forgiveness for sale? Some children respond.
‘When we forgive someone it is actually ourselves we are doing the favour to and not the recipient’
Forgiveness isn’t for sale because when we forgive someone, it is actually ourselves we are doing the favour to and not the recipient. More so, forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is not guilty of whatever they did to upset us. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. Rather, forgiveness means letting go of the pain the incident is causing us. We forgive to give ourselves peace of mind, and hope that one day someone will return the favour if we offend them. And I don’t think any amount of money could ever buy that for anyone. Come now; let us settle the matter says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
• Awaki Barnabas
‘If you don’t forgive, you will not be forgiven’
We forgive to give ourselves peace of mind, and in the hope that God our Father will forgive us when we ask for forgiveness. Matt 6:12, 14-15. God our Father didn’t ask us to pay anything before sending Jesus to die for us, and so, we must forgive and be merciful like God the Father (Luke 6:36.) Colossians 3:13 says, “Support one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do. Also, If you have some gift to offer to the Lord and you know your brother has something against you, set the gift aside, go back and make peace and then, return with your gift and make your offering” Matthew 5:23-24. Therefore, if you don’t forgive, You will not be forgiven. Forgive and have inner peace.
• Fredrick Smith
‘I do not believe that forgiveness is for sale’
Forgiveness is simply a deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment towards a person who has harmed you. According to the Bible, it is understood as God’s promise not to count our sins against us. I do not believe that forgiveness is for sale, despite the fact that God forgives us our sins even when he knows we may fall into it again, he forgives. This is why forgiveness is not for sale because we as humans are supposed to follow Gods image. But people do not forgive each other as easily as God always would. ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you’, says Ephesians 4:32.
• Omiloju Olota
‘Forgiveness is not for sale’
Forgiveness is not for sale, forgiveness comes from God, and when we forgive others that is an earthly reflection of God and His love being poured out on the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus is why we forgive. Jesus is why we don’t want to hold on to grudges. He is worthy of it all. The price that was paid for you is too great. “Forgiveness is the final form of love.”
• Angel Adigwe
‘Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology’
Forgiveness is the final form of love, holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong, rather it makes you bitter; forgiving doesn’t make you weak, it sets you free. Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology. Forgiveness is never for sale.
• Chisom Adigwe
‘Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered’
Forgiveness, according to the Bible is correctly understood as God’s promise not to count our sins against us. God loves us too much to let us destroy ourselves in hell. He provided a way for us to be forgiven, and that way through Jesus Christ. An indulgence is a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. The bible talks about forgiveness in the book of: – Ephesians 4;32 – Matthew 6:14 – Colossians 3.:13 – Luke 6:37 – Matthew 18:21-22 – psalm 86:5 – Mark 11:25 – Psalm 32:1
• Ojimmadu Sandra
No, it is not for sale’
No, it is not for sale. However, it requires firstly, the mercy of the forgiver (God or any other human) and secondly, the remorse or contrition of offender. Instances of forgiveness in the Bible are: 1. The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11 – 32) 2. Peter’s contrition after denying Jesus (Matt 26: 69 -75) 3. The repentant thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43).
• Chloe Ebanehita Oseyomon
‘For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you’
Forgiveness is defined as letting go of sin. We should always forgive because it is an act of obedience and gratefulness to God. Matt.6:14 says,”For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses. Jesus who died to restore the relationship between God and man didn’t demand ransom from us so why should we demand ransom before we forgive.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Forgiveness is designed to set us free in order to move forward in life irrespective of the hurt’
In Ephesians 1:7, it is written, “In him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Forgiveness is definitely not for sale. Forgiveness is not something you do for someone else. It’s something we do for ourselves. It’s saying ‘you are not important enough to have a stronghold on me.’ In essence, forgiveness is designed to set us free, in order to move forward in life, irrespective of the hurt. You free yourself and free the person that hurt you, and the world becomes a better place for all to live.
• Victoria Okefe
‘If forgiveness was for sale, what will be the price of God’s love and the breath we breathe in and out?’
I will say capital letter “No.” Let’s imagine this, if forgiveness was for sale, what will be the price of God’s love and the breath we breathe in and out? If truly forgiveness was for sale how many of us will be able to afford it – not even the richest man on earth will be able to afford it. In the book of Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing”. So, my brothers and sisters, forgiveness is not for sale. Thank you.
• Eseosa Osalumense-Ehigie
