Albert Foy, reflecting on his appreciation of freedom and the blessings to live in this country, remembers a time his father had administered corporal punishment. He learned that just as the pain from the hurt dissipates, resentment must also dissipate. We must learn to forgive; if we do not, we will not be in the Kingdom of God. Forgiveness is the capacity to learn to wipe away the pain. It is imperative that we get control of our mind, bringing our thoughts under Christ's control, getting rid of the pain and hurt that prevents spiritual growth. We cannot maintain pain when we forgive. If we harbor hate, we are in a spirit of murder. When Tamar was raped by her half brother Amnon, Absalom carried a profound hatred of Amnon, leading to an actual murder. Within our families, there is a lot of healing that must take place. When Jesus forgave, all of the pain left Him.  Forgiveness is freedom.  The memory of the incident did not leave, but the pain did.  We should feel privileged if we are called upon to suffer for the sake of Christ.  When Jesus Christ forgave, He was giving us a pattern of attaining freedom from pain.

Absalom * Amnon * Are we better than Jesus Christ? * Exegesis * Eisogesis FBF * I Peter 4:12-16 * Freedom from pain * Freedom * Getting rid of the pain and the hurt * GNO1 * GNO2 * Jonadab * Luke24:36 * Moon and stars * Origin of forgiveness * Pain must go away * Philippians 3:13-16; 4:8-9 * II Corinthians 10:4-9 * II Samuel  13:11 * Sin is painful * Spanking * Spirit of love and warmth * Understanding forgiveness * What is forgiveness?