to forgive is to be forgiven

Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV) “For if ye 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.”

Forgiveness from Christ follows a repentant heart. It’s an extension of God’s mercy to believers who accept His grace. Ephesians 4:7 says, “But was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (ESV)

Remember, “gift.”

What are we to do when someone hurts us and shows no remorse or repentance? It’s easier to accept an apology from someone when they ask us to extend our mercy, but what if a person never asks? Or, yet, what if they feel like they have not offended us? We are always to look to Jesus for the answer rather than to react with an emotional response. We know the heart is deceitfully wicked, so how can we trust ourselves to make a righteous decision without the counseling of the Holy Spirit? In fact, let’s look to Jesus on the cross for this answer. In Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do’” (ESV). This was the Son asking the Father to forgive the malefactors, who were worthy of death, for their ignorance and transgressions before they were crucified - a gift of grace from the Lord. Are we, ourselves, crucifying people for their wrongdoings against us, or are we turning to God and trusting in His righteous justice? Receiving forgiveness and forgiving others are each gifts and sometimes neither is deserved which is why we must diligently seek God’s forgiveness and pray for forgiving hearts.

For the times that we forgive but resentment or pain lingers, we need to ask the ultimate Physician and Healer to penetrate the depths of our hearts where only the Holy Spirit can mend. Then, in remembering the hurt, we are not reliving it. We know that Jesus Christ has restored what we cannot and He gives us supernatural peace. Hebrews 12:14 reminds us to “Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one shall see the Lord.” (ESV)