By Andrew Williams
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Good morning fellow disciples
Forgiveness is a crucial part of the Christian life, yet it is often one of the most difficult things to put into practice. When we have been hurt, betrayed, or wronged by someone, our natural response is to hold onto bitterness and resentment. We may feel that the offender doesn’t deserve our forgiveness, or that by forgiving them we are letting them off the hook.
However, the Scriptures are clear that we are called to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:31-32 instructs us to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” And Colossians 3:13 reminds us to “Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Choosing to forgive is not easy, but it is necessary for our own spiritual health and growth. Holding onto anger and resentment only serves to weigh us down and keep us from experiencing the freedom and joy that comes from forgiveness. When we forgive others, we are reflecting the forgiveness that God has extended to us through Christ.
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is an act of our will, a decision to let go of the hurt and bitterness and to extend grace to those who have wronged us. This doesn’t mean that the offense is forgotten or that there are no consequences, but it does mean that we are no longer slaves to the pain and anger.
As we choose to forgive, we open ourselves up to the healing and restoration that only God can provide. We experience the freedom of letting go of the past and walking in the light of His love and grace. And in the process, we become more like Christ, who forgave even those who crucified Him.
So let us choose to forgive today, trusting in God’s power to help us overcome our bitterness and resentment. May we experience the joy and peace that come from walking in obedience to His commands and reflecting His forgiving love to a hurting world.
Prayer: Father God, I choose to forgive those who have wronged me. I let go of the hurt and resentment. Heal me, Lord, and let Your joy and peace reign in my heart. Amen
