“If you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” —Matthew 6:14–15
As an alternative to being debt collectors— the pathway of resentment and retaliation— God calls us to the pure, powerful choice of forgiveness—and to pursue, wherever possible, the pathway of restoration and reconciliation.
Actually, this is not presented in Scripture as an option. “As the Lord has forgiven you,” Paul writes in Colossians 3:13, “so you are also to forgive.” There’s not a lot of grey area or wiggle room in there.
No offense is too great, no offender is beyond the boundary to which our forgiveness must extend. Our fellowship with God requires it and depends on it.
Forgiveness is not a take it or leave it option that only a super-Christian should be expected to take. Yes, it’s unnatural. It’s supernatural. At times it’s almost unbelievable. But through Jesus, it’s completely possible.
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Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom ©2022 Revived Hearts Foundation
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
Is there anyone who has hurt you that seems impossible to forgive? The Lord is ready to enable you today if you ask Him.