What does forgiveness look like to you? What does God ask of us when it comes to forgiveness?
These are questions I am sure we’ve all thought & asked ourselves during our lives. We’ve all been hurt from time to time – sometimes hurts are small, other times they are major. Sometimes we need to be forgiven & sometimes we need to forgive others.
Living out forgiveness in our lives can be the hardest thing we do, but it can also be the most life changing and the most rewarding in our walk of faith.
Could it be we do not forgive because we are not willing to look within ourselves? We ONLY see what others have said & done to us…but are we without fault? We must be aware of our own mistakes – the unkind words we have spoken – our failings when dealing with others – our bad behavior at the expense of others.
God’s Word offers us the following truths in scripture about forgiveness that we so desperately need.
Matt 6:12 – “and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Matt 12:34 – We must empty our hearts of bitterness, anger, slander & malice so we reflect Jesus with our words & actions.
Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you.” Remember Jesus forgave the people who crucified Him.
Romans 12:19 – “Do not take revenge.” Leave this to the Lord.
Eph 4:32 – Having received forgiveness, we should pass it on to others. Forgiveness is a safeguard for our mental health & emotional stability.
Col 3:13 – The key to forgiving is to remember how much God has already forgiven us. Let God worry about the wrongs you have suffered.
Heb 12:14 – Forgiveness is what Jesus gives us, models for us & calls us to do.
1 John 1:9 – Forgiveness is always available to those who repent & confess their sins.
1 Peter 5:6 – Humbly obey God regardless of the circumstances. If we humble ourselves before Our God, receive what He is trying to teach us about forgiveness, we can be comforted with whatever the outcome may be.
The verse we all need to remember and take to heart is Matthew 6:12 – “for if you forgive others their trespasses, your Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiveness is the very cornerstone of our Christian faith, and it shows that the Truth of God lives within us.
Forgiveness is a decision and a process – it takes time. But if you do not forgive and move on, you become bound in the prison of your own pain.
When people hurt us, we have a choice . . . we can give them the power to control our emotions, or we can show grace & mercy and forgive them.
Lean into God. Listen for His Voice. Thank Him for all He has forgiven you for and then extend that forgiveness to others who have hurt you. Do not hang on to the pain of hurt, find the peace God has for you. Always remember that to forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love!!
Want more information on this topic? Below are the resources Darlene researched when writing this blog!
- Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
- Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lisa Terkeurst
- Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lisa Terkeurst
- Application Commentary Old & New Testament by John Courson
