How can I forgive those who sin against me?

Answer

Everyone has experienced being wronged, offended, or sinned against at some point. How should Christians react when faced with such offenses? According to the Bible, we are called to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13 declares, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” The central message in both verses is that we should forgive our fellow believers just as God has forgiven us. Why do we forgive? Because we have received forgiveness ourselves! Our forgiveness towards others should mirror God’s forgiveness towards us.

In order to forgive those who have wronged us, we must first grasp the concept of God’s forgiveness. God does not grant forgiveness to everyone automatically without any conditions—if He did, there would be no mention of the lake of fire in Revelation 20:14–15. True forgiveness entails repentance on the part of the wrongdoer and God’s love and grace. While God’s love and grace are constant, repentance is often lacking. Therefore, the Bible’s instruction for us to forgive one another does not imply turning a blind eye to sin. It means willingly, graciously, and lovingly offering forgiveness to those who repent. We should always be ready to forgive when presented with the opportunity. Not just seven times, but “seventy times seven” times «Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. », (Matthew 18:22, KJV). Refusing to forgive someone who seeks forgiveness reveals feelings of resentment, bitterness, and anger, which are not characteristics of a genuine Christian.

To forgive those who have sinned against us demands patience and tolerance. The church is instructed to “be patient with everyone” «Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,Comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We should be able to overlook personal slights and minor offenses. Jesus said, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” “but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39). Not every “slap in the face” needs a response.

To forgive those who sin against us requires the transformational power of God in our lives. There is something deep within fallen human nature that thirsts for revenge and urges retaliation in kind. We naturally want to inflict the same type of injury on the one who injured us—an eye for an eye seems only fair. In Christ, however, we have been given the power to love our enemies, do good to the haters, bless the cursers, and pray for the abusers (see Luke 6:27-28). Jesus gives us a heart that is willing to forgive and will work to that end.

Forgiving those who sin against us is made easier when we consider the extent to which God forgives our transgressions. We who have been lavished with grace have no right to withhold grace from others. We have sinned against God infinitely more than any person can sin against us. Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18:23–35 is a powerful illustration of this truth.

God promises that, when we come to Him asking for forgiveness, He freely grants it “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). The grace we extend to those who seek our forgiveness should be just as readily available.

Find the Bible passage about forgiveness in Luke 17:3-4.