My Dear Readers,
In the gospels, we see Peter telling the Lord Jesus: “I will never fall away on your account. Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death, I will lay down my life for your sake”. How many times do we say the same thing to God? Yet, He gave us a clear and simple command that we do find difficult to do, so most of us put it aside. Today we are about to learn that forgiveness is not just a mere suggestion that you may or may not follow, but a command from God almighty.
In Ephesians 4:31-32, we are commanded to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and spitefulness. Instead, be kind, tenderhearted to each other, and forgive each other, just as God in Messiah has also forgiven us.
In Matthew 22:37-38, Lord Jesus tells us that the commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” We can’t love God with all our hearts if we keep it crowded with anger, bitterness, and resentment. We can’t worship God and honor him if we hate others. When you are hurt, offended, betrayed, lied to or lied about, remember that “no one is perfect” and the One who loves you so much that even when you were living in sin, He shed his blood for you, so that you may have your own sins forgiven mandates you to return to the same grace to others around you.
What is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is the action of letting go of any negative feeling resulted from an offense, a betrayal, a harmful situation, an abuse, or violence against a person or loved one. By forgiving, you release the toxic feeling, the grudge, the anger, or the resentment and open your heart to receive healing and wholeness. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 143:3).
Why Should We Forgive?
1) It’s a Command from Our Lord and Savior
Forgiveness is central to Christian teaching, not as an optional extra but a direct command from Jesus Christ. This is evident in several key scriptures:
- Luke 17:3-5 offers a profound directive: “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” This passage underscores the necessity of forgiveness as an ongoing, unconditional act.
- In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus teaches us about the reciprocal nature of forgiveness: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This makes clear that our forgiveness is intertwined with how we forgive others.
- Colossians 3:13 further cements this command: “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Here, Paul is reiterating Jesus' teaching, reminding us that forgiveness is an essential element of Christian life.
2) You Have Been Forgiven
Understanding and accepting our own forgiveness is crucial in enabling us to forgive others:
- Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This passage is a call to emulate Christ's forgiveness towards us.
- Colossians 1:13-14 speaks to the depth of forgiveness we have received: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Acknowledging this immense gift helps us understand the importance of extending forgiveness to others.
- 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When we grasp the magnitude of our own forgiveness, it becomes increasingly difficult to withhold forgiveness from others.
3) It's Healthy for Us
Forgiving others isn’t just a spiritual command; it's beneficial for our own health and wellbeing. When we harbor unforgiveness, it can lead to negative effects on our mental, emotional, and even physical health. Feelings of bitterness, anger, and resentment can cause stress, which is known to have harmful impacts such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function. On the contrary, forgiveness can lead to healthier relationships, improved mental health, less anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, and a stronger immune system. As we release these negative feelings, we embrace peace, healing, and a sense of wellbeing.
4) If We Don't Forgive, We Won't Be Forgiven
This point is perhaps the most sobering. The Scriptures are clear that our forgiveness is in some way tied to how we forgive others. Jesus Himself taught this principle in several places:
- In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Mark 11:25 emphasizes the need to forgive when praying: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
- Similarly, Luke 6:37 tells us, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
These verses highlight a profound truth: our willingness to forgive is not only an act of obedience but also a necessary step in experiencing God’s forgiveness in our own lives. This reciprocal nature of forgiveness underscores its importance in our spiritual journey and relationship with God.
Who should we forgive?
The directive from Scripture is clear and unequivocal: we are called to forgive everyone. This encompasses all people, regardless of the relationship we have with them, the nature of their offense, or how deeply we've been hurt.
- Matthew 6:12, part of the Lord's Prayer, instructs us, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This petition is a reminder that just as we seek forgiveness from God, we must extend forgiveness to all who have wronged us. The term 'debtors' here is all-encompassing, implying that anyone who owes us an apology or has caused us harm falls under this category.
- Ephesians 4:31-32 further expands on this by instructing us to "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." This passage makes it clear that forgiveness is not selective; it's a blanket command covering all instances of hurt or offense.
Forgiving everyone does not mean condoning wrong behavior or putting ourselves in harm's way. It is about releasing the burden of bitterness and choosing a path of compassion and kindness, mirroring the forgiveness we have received in Christ. By forgiving others, irrespective of who they are, we not only obey God's command but also liberate our hearts to love more fully and live more freely.
When should we forgive?
The simple answer to when we should forgive is: ALWAYS. Forgiveness should be a continual practice, not limited by the number of offenses or the passage of time.
- In Matthew 18:21-22, Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." This isn't a literal number for us to count, but rather a symbol of endless forgiveness. Jesus is teaching that forgiveness should not have limits.
- Luke 17:3-4 further emphasizes this point. Jesus says, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” This underscores the continual nature of forgiveness – it's not a one-time act, but a repeated, ongoing choice.
This doesn't mean forgiveness is easy or that it negates the need for justice or repentance. It's about keeping our hearts free from the bondage of unforgiveness. By choosing to forgive whenever we are wronged, we reflect the heart of God, who forgives us repeatedly and unconditionally.
My readers, as we conclude this letter, remember that our journey to love Jesus is deeply connected with forgiveness. This first letter has focused on how forgiving others is not just obeying Christ's commands but a reflection of His love and grace in our lives. Forgiveness is a continuous commitment, essential in our walk with Christ.
The Scriptures guide us to a life of forgiveness, teaching us that to love Jesus is to mirror His heart. Each act of forgiveness deepens our relationship with Him, showcasing His transformative power and love.
Colossians 3:13 reminds us, "Bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This is our call to love Jesus genuinely and wholeheartedly.
Look forward to a second letter, where we'll explore more about living a life of forgiveness as taught by Jesus. Until then, may the grace and peace of our Lord be with you.
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