EDITOR: Forgiveness is a very powerful tool, yet it is hard to do. Many persons say the Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew 6: 12 we are asking the Lord to forgive us as we forgive others their debt, yet we don’t forgive.

I recognize the human weakness and the difficulty to forgive someone that hurts us deeply. However, if we as a people, would desire by God’s grace to forgive others, then our crime rate would be less and we would have a healthier nation.

Far too often people get on radio and on social media and seek to pull down each other. We slander and sometimes defame characters. There is so much anger and hatred that come out of the mouths and writings of others. We have allowed our political hatred to divide us. Of course, we may not support a person’s political persuasion, nor their religious beliefs, but that does not mean we are to develop a hatred for others who are not of the same persuasion politically and religiously.

We are called upon to do as Matthew 6: 14 “for if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father would will also forgive you.” There is none amongst us who is perfect. Thus we messed up sometimes and need God’s forgiveness. However, we need to forgive in order to be forgiven. For if we don’t forgive, Matthew 6: 15 tells us, “But if we forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly father forgive your trespasses.” How sad it is when we don’t forgive.

What this country needs is for us to use the tool of forgiveness and let go of the revenge and hatred that we carry around in our hearts. How can we fail to forgive and then expect forgiveness? It just doesn’t work that way.

I call upon us as a people to forgive. I must admit it is hard, but if we desire to forgive and ask the Lord, He will help us to forgive. I guarantee you, if as a people we forgive, then we would progress as a nation.

Let us stop using the social media and the radio to spread hatred and revenge, but instead forgive – even in our daily live. If we forgive then we would reduce the many killings and other crimes that are committed because we seek revenge.

I end by reminding us what the bible says in Proverbs 14: 34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any man.” God bless SVG. Let us seek by God’s grace to live as one.

Kennard King