Or do we not agree about what murder sometimes is?
I am compelled to jump into the discussion for a few reasons. Primarily because I strongly disagree with any idea suggesting God (the Father) is in need of forgiveness or is needing to forgive. More on that in a moment, though I feel I've already touched upon this previously and somewhat explained it. Certainly could use more explanation for those who see it as disputable.
I quoted this question regarding murder because I think it indirectly (or perhaps directly) applies to what forgiveness is. I observed in this dialogue statements regarding murderous actions and murderous thoughts and how they are connected, and which one actually constitutes murder. Personally, I've never (fully) understood the so called objective view of what actually is considered murder and what is not. I see it all in the same boat, and feel the distinctions are between trivial and arguably deceptive. I can see the superficial distinctions. Killing a spouse is not the same as killing the neighbor's baby. Killing own self is not the same as killing a stranger at the mall. Killing an enemy combatant is not the same as killing a local law enforcement official. But, not so surprisingly, all these situations have something in common, killing a human being. To me, all of these would be murder. And yet, I do recognize that for some (perhaps the majority) that killing and murder are (nowhere near or) not the same thing.
Without exception, forgiveness applies to all of them. Without a doubt, God would not need to forgive any of them, for God is not insane (or confused) about what is actually occurring. We are, or may be. If we are, as God is (Love), then forgiveness would be wholly unnecessary. Forgiveness is only necessary where there is a perceived lack of Love. I capitalize Love because, it is not the conditional 'love' of which I speak. Not the exclusive kind where a love for say a spouse is considered greater than the love of a neighbor's child. You think trying to understand forgiveness is challenging, try to wrap your head around unconditional Love, and understanding how when that is found/accepted, forgiveness is rendered unnecessary.
My paradigm understands that there are three things (thoughts really) that appear to counter Love: 1 - fear, 2 - attack, 3 - suffering/guilt. In actuality, it is really only one thought that once accepted as part of "who I am" splinters into a plurality of thoughts, all of which are cleverly designed to delay return of awareness to Self as Love. The one thought is fear. Even more tough to wrap one's mind around this 'power' than forgiveness or Love. But in essence, collectively, this is what is fundamentally what is occurring in this world where separation from God is held as THE reality. Ya know, the 'objective reality' we pride ourselves on understanding, as if we all mutually agree upon its existence, and yet have literally no way of establishing. Thus the rabbit hole.
Murderous actions, or lustful actions are given all meaning by the thinker. This counters the objective notion, but I find that to truly understand forgiveness (in an intellectual way), this must be understood. It is really understanding own self's desire to draw distinctions in thoughts about what ultimately has to do with fear. I do think, intellectually, it is not so challenging to forego those distinctions, but foregoing them does amount to a form of sacrifice. What forgiveness has the power to do is sacrifice the fear associated with any thought. It cuts to the chase where distinctions are dancing on a fence that is entirely made up by the thinker. Reading that as purely subjective is, I find, not understanding reality. It is clearly intersubjective as there is visibly more than my individual mind at work in reality. But, who We Are, is in reality, who I Am. Understanding this might be considered very profound, or it might be met with fear as in realizing there is a distinct possibility that violation of privacy is therefore occurring (constantly).
So, even the so called answers to the fundamental problem (fear) can be met with concern, hesitation, or more bluntly (more) fear.
Forgiveness then becomes the only sane defense. The only thought that is not offering a potential 2 edged sword to the thinker. In my paradigm or understanding, it is the one illusion that undoes all the others, all of which are making of a world where separation from God is deemed reality. Shared reality. (What an oxymoron given the nature of said 'reality.')
Forgiveness is not about what you do for another, because in reality that other is You. As that may not be understood, nor perceived and instead separation from own Self is perceived as 'reality,' then forgiveness of so called others may indeed be helpful going forward. Though if sitting back and contemplating on how forgiveness worked with any perceived other, it would readily present itself as realizing it was forgiving own thoughts of what the 'other' previously meant to you. And allowing what the brother does mean to you in reality. Might first be perceived as emptiness, but a void would be a great sign considering the alternative was plausibly seen as 'my enemy' or 'one who doesn't care about my interests, at all.'
To bring this wall of text to an end, I would say that while forgiveness is not for God, the Father, it is a matter of divine intervention into an insane belief that Creation is in some fashion separated from Creator. And because there is a part of You (collective You, or Us) that has not forgotten its own Divinity, it has offered up forgiveness as a blessing for all to freely use, and to fully return awareness to Divine Self. Return to Love, for that is Who You Are. Return to Christ mind, that you may see Christ in everyone. Knowing God's Love is without end, without lack and rendering fear to the nothingness of which it came.
