Biblical Answer

Forgiveness is a vital aspect of the Christian life, as it allows us to respond to hurt and broken relationships in a way that honors God. When we are hurt, it's natural to want to retaliate or seek revenge, but true forgiveness is a process that requires practice and effort. As Stott notes, forgiveness is a prerogative of God alone, and Christians are called to forgive as they have been forgiven (Stott, BC, 29). This means that we must let go of our bitterness and resentment, not for the other person's sake, but for our own. When we hold onto resentment, it can lead to a cycle of hurt and anger that can consume us and prevent us from experiencing peace with God.

In Matthew 6:12-15, Jesus teaches us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." This verse makes it clear that our ability to forgive others is directly tied to our experience of being forgiven by God. When we are justified by faith, we experience the initial forgiveness of God, but true forgiveness is a process that requires us to continually relinquish our bitterness and resentment. As Jesus notes, we must forgive as we have been forgiven, which means that we must be willing to let go of our desire for revenge or vindication and instead choose to forgive others. This is not always easy, and it may require us to renew our commitment to forgive when feelings of resentment or bitterness arise.

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, forgiveness can seem like an impossible task. However, it is precisely in these moments that we are called to rely on the power of God's forgiveness in our lives. When we are hurt or wronged, we have a choice to make: we can give in to our hurt and anger, or we can choose to forgive and experience the peace that comes from a restored relationship with God. As Jesus teaches, we must forgive as we have been forgiven, not for the other person's sake, but for our own. By choosing to forgive, we are able to break free from the cycle of hurt and anger and experience the freedom and peace that come from living in relationship with God.