The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity
September: Forgiveness
You are forgiven! This month’s focus on forgiveness also reminds us that we must forgive ourselves at the same time as others. I wish you all the wholeness and freedom of forgiveness. It is our way to transform the world, and to realize our prosperity.
Forgiveness is in itself a powerful tool for transformation. This is clearly demonstrated in the Bible through the many healings that Jesus did in which he forgave people. Relationships and community are one of the main ways that God has given us for transformation. As we are in relationship with others, we are brought face to face with our ego and called to a higher way.
A framework for keeping our relationships in good shape is found in Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard. There are four major elements:
1. See ourselves as whole, just as God sees us.
2. Abandon our defensiveness—we do not hide or follow strategies to look good.
3. As we let go of pettiness as in #1 and #2, genuine love predominates.
4. Devote our life to service.
Sometimes our lack of forgiveness for others reflects our lack of it for ourselves. This month we will also think about forgiving ourselves as an important step in forgiving others. As we come to wholeness through realizing we are worthy of forgiveness in the eyes of Christ within, we heal and become free. We have come into the right relationship with ourselves and others around us when we forgive, and have realized the perfection to which God calls us.
Prosperity can only be ours if there is room in our hearts. Through forgiveness and letting go, we are able to make ourselves a clear channel for the flow of prosperity. There is the analogy of the Dead Sea, which has a flow in, but no flow out. In a sense, we become a stagnant, “dead sea” when we are unable to let go of that which no longer serves us.
What the Bible says:
“For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Matt 7:2
“As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honor him. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. As a father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor him.” Ps. 103: 11-13
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.” Rom 14:13
What Unity says:
“Forgiveness really means giving up something. When you forgive yourself, you cease doing the thing that you ought not to do… We forgive sin in ourselves every time we resolve to think and act according to the divine law.” Charles Fillmore, Jesus Christ Heals
“Do you love your enemies? Do you bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you? This is required of one who seeks the new birth.” Charles Fillmore, Talks on Truth
“As by one man sin came into the world so by one man it is taken away… every man stands sinless before God in Christ.” Charles Fillmore, Jesus Christ Heals
Ideas for practice:
• One way to keep a clean slate of forgiveness for ourselves is the practice of the examination of consciousness. At the end of each day, prayerfully reflect on how God has been at work in you for the last 24 hours. Give gratitude for the love of God that has shown up in your day. Then, think of anything to which you felt an attachment, or that needs cleansing and healing. Offer this to God as well. In your mind’s eye, watch as this bundle is taken over and infused with the light of God’s healing and gratitude. You might also try writing these “cleansing projects” on a piece of scrap paper, then tearing them up and destroying them in your own ritual. Finally, another idea is to write them in your journal as you pray, then write “forgiven,” “Christ in me,” or any other meaningful word or phrase in large visible letters across it to signify that it has no power over you.
• Pay attention to your relationships for a day or more. How often do you feel defensive? In our society, we so often find ourselves in a place where we feel we have to justify ourselves to others—especially in very small ways. In what ways do you find yourself doing this? (Of course, if you are under physical threat, please seek help from a trusted family member, friend, pastor or law enforcement.) Write about this in your journal. After noticing for a while, take the next step. In situations where there is no physical threat, try to consciously let go of the need to defend or justify yourself. You might try an affirmation, such as, “Christ within me is my defense.” Write about this experience in your journal as well.
• Discuss your practice with your prayer triad. What do you notice is happening with your companions or with yourself? Commit to hold each other in the forgiving light of love in your daily prayer between meetings.