Does forgiveness really work? For most of us, the bottom line with anything is "Does this really work?"

A few days ago we reflected on forgiveness amid the horrors of World War II. For many of us that war has become a distant but painful memory or a terrible event in history. Enough time has passed that we can take a long view. What has happened since World War II? A few things stand out.

First, those of us living in the United States have our former enemies, Germany and Japan, as good friends. We cannot imagine life without German and Japanese cars and many other products. Forgiveness forged friendships that have flowed into shared commerce.

Second, the Jews finally received land for their own nation. The sympathy of the world after the Holocaust led people to give back the land God had promised to Abraham, the land established under King David.

Third, we learn that good things happen not through a refusal to forgive but through the insistence that we must forgive at all costs.

The stage of world history proves what our Bible readings teach us today. Forgiveness is real, and it works. You and I must forgive so that life can be rich and abundant. Please practice forgiveness. Make it a powerful part of your life!