Why should I forgive?

Answer

Forgiveness is a common theme in the Bible. Indeed, God’s plan to forgive humanity for their sins is a central message of the Bible (1 Peter 1:20;John 17:24). Therefore, when considering why we should forgive those who sin against us, we need only look to the example God has set for us. Christians are called to forgive others because God has forgiven us “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”, (Ephesians 4:32).

Jesus shared a parable in Matthew 18:21–35 to illustrate the importance of forgiveness. He narrates the story of a king who pardoned a servant with an enormous debt. However, this same servant later mistreated another servant who owed him a small amount, demanding immediate repayment. Upon learning of this, the king was enraged and instructed that the forgiven servant be punished until the entire debt was repaid. Jesus concludes the parable with a sobering statement: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (verse 35).

Forgiveness is obligatory for all who have received God’s forgiveness “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”, (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus instructed us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”, (Matthew 6:12), emphasizing that God expects us to extend the same forgiveness we have received.He has done for us. Refusing to forgive those who wrong us is an insult to the Lord who has forgiven us much more. We forgive as an act of gratitude for all we have been forgiven.

Those who have been forgiven by God are transformed into forgiving individuals. To approach the Lord and ask for His forgiveness while at the same time refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters is the height of hypocrisy. If a person who claims to be a Christian refuses to extend forgiveness to others, that individual is showing evidence that he or she is not truly born again. We forgive others because it is in our new nature to forgive «Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. », (see 1 John 3:9).

Forgiveness is not letting an unrepentant sinner off the hook. Rather, it is an eager readiness to extend mercy to those who have wronged us. When we forgive, we free ourselves from the bondage someone’s wrong has created for us. It is impossible to live in complete obedience to God when someone else controls our emotions. Followers of Jesus are to be controlled by nothing but the Holy Spirit «And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; », (Ephesians 5:18). In order to grow spiritually and live in submission to God’s Word, we must obey even the difficult commands about forgiveness « And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? », (Luke 6:46).

Forgiveness is often a window through which the world glimpses the mercy of God. As the popular slogan goes, “You may be the only Bible some people ever read.” When we forgive, we model God’s teachings on kindness, mercy, love, and humility. People cannot see Jesus in us when we are walking.

Living in bitterness and anger can hinder our mission. When all we can discuss is how we were wronged, how someone betrayed us, or the wounds we carry, we lose sight of our primary goal, which is to make disciples «Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: », (Matthew 28:19). Unforgiveness makes us self-focused instead of God-focused and robs us of love, peace, and joy (see Galatians 5:22).

Forgiveness may come more easily to some than others, but we are all called to forgive to maintain fellowship with God. Some struggle to forgive due to a misunderstanding of its essence. Forgiveness is distinct from reconciliation. We can genuinely forgive while keeping betrayers at arm’s length. Forgiveness does not entail welcoming unrepentant abusers back into our lives, but it does allow God’s peace to reign in our hearts.

From the cross, Jesus prayed for His murderers: “Father, forgive them” «Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. », (Luke 23:34). We mirror Jesus when we forgive those who have wronged us, and for believers, emulating Jesus is the ultimate aspiration «For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. », (Romans 8:29).