Are you tired of walking through life carrying the heavy weight of bitterness or resentment? That constant replay of past hurts, the gnawing feeling of injustice – it can steal your joy and cloud your present. We were never meant to live burdened this way, yet as humans, holding onto hurt often feels easier than releasing it. But God's Word offers a powerful truth: we need to let go, to release the resentment instead of rehearsing it. We need to forgive.
Why is forgiveness so crucial? The answer lies in the very foundation of our faith…because God forgives you.
Jesus told this parable that is recorded in Matthew chapter 18.
Matthew 18:21-35 NIV [21] Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [23] “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. [25] Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. [28] “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. [29] “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ [30] “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. [31] When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. [32] “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. [33] Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ [34] In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. [35] “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (emphasis mine)
Just as this king showed profound grace, God, in His infinite love, sent Jesus Christ to pay the ultimate debt for each and every one of us.
Colossians 2:13-14 NIV[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
He canceled the debt, which included all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. Knowing the depth of God's forgiveness for us should be the ultimate motivation for extending that same grace to others.
Furthermore, holding onto resentment is nothing short of self-torture. It's a self-inflicted wound that festers in us. While we replay past grievances, the person we're holding a grudge against may have long moved on. Our past cannot continue to hurt us unless we let it by clinging to the pain. As the saying goes, bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
The need for forgiveness extends beyond others; it's a daily necessity for ourselves. The Bible makes it clear: we cannot fully receive what we are unwilling to give. Do you desire God's forgiveness? Then we are called to be forgiving.
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV [14] For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (emphasis mine)
Forgiveness isn't a one-time event; it's a lifestyle. It's a continuous practice of releasing hurt, extending grace, and choosing love over bitterness.
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (emphasis mine)
We need to ask for forgiveness when we stumble, accept forgiveness offered to us, and consistently offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us. It's a cycle of grace that enriches our lives and draws us closer to the heart of God. Embrace the freedom that comes with letting go and living a life marked by forgiveness.
Why is forgiveness so crucial? The answer lies in the very foundation of our faith…because God forgives you.
Jesus told this parable that is recorded in Matthew chapter 18.
Matthew 18:21-35 NIV [21] Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [23] “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. [25] Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. [28] “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. [29] “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ [30] “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. [31] When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. [32] “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. [33] Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ [34] In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. [35] “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (emphasis mine)
Just as this king showed profound grace, God, in His infinite love, sent Jesus Christ to pay the ultimate debt for each and every one of us.
Colossians 2:13-14 NIV[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
He canceled the debt, which included all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. Knowing the depth of God's forgiveness for us should be the ultimate motivation for extending that same grace to others.
Furthermore, holding onto resentment is nothing short of self-torture. It's a self-inflicted wound that festers in us. While we replay past grievances, the person we're holding a grudge against may have long moved on. Our past cannot continue to hurt us unless we let it by clinging to the pain. As the saying goes, bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
The need for forgiveness extends beyond others; it's a daily necessity for ourselves. The Bible makes it clear: we cannot fully receive what we are unwilling to give. Do you desire God's forgiveness? Then we are called to be forgiving.
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV [14] For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (emphasis mine)
Forgiveness isn't a one-time event; it's a lifestyle. It's a continuous practice of releasing hurt, extending grace, and choosing love over bitterness.
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (emphasis mine)
We need to ask for forgiveness when we stumble, accept forgiveness offered to us, and consistently offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us. It's a cycle of grace that enriches our lives and draws us closer to the heart of God. Embrace the freedom that comes with letting go and living a life marked by forgiveness.
RSS Feed