Biblical Answer

The Unnatural Act of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an unnatural act that requires practice to perfect it. It is not a one-time event, but a process that we must continually work on. When we are hurt or offended, we have a choice to make: to give in to our hurt, resentment, and bitterness, or to grow as a Christian and learn to forgive. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, but it means not holding a person's sin against them. As Christians, we are called to forgive as we have been forgiven by God.

The Foundation of Forgiveness

The connection between our forgiving and being forgiven is graphically expounded in Scripture. The point is not that forgiving is a prior condition of being forgiven, but that forgiveness cannot be a one-time event. Forgiveness is the cross of Christ, and it is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ, and to forgive sin while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Similarly, for us, forgiveness is a gift from one undeserving soul to another. It is not dependent on the actions of the offender, but is a choice we make as Christians.

The Benefits of Forgiveness

Forgiveness has been linked to multiple positive mental and physical health outcomes. In the New Testament, the forgiveness ethic is coupled with the command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we forgive, we are not only releasing ourselves from the burden of resentment and bitterness, but we are also showing the world what it means to be a follower of Christ. Forgiveness is the foundation for all spiritual growth and sobriety, and it is essential for our relationship with God and with others. As we learn to forgive, we are not only healing our own wounds, but we are also becoming more like Christ.