Biblical Answer

When our faith is constantly being tested by chaos and uncertainty, the role of forgiveness in a world of hurt and broken relationships becomes a vital aspect of our Christian walk. Forgiveness is not just a one-time event, but rather a process that requires practice and patience. As the Bible reminds us, we are to forgive as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:12-15). This means that we must continually relinquish our bitterness and resentment, choosing instead to forgive those who have wronged us. Forgiveness is not about forgetting what has happened, but rather about not holding someone's sin against them.

In this sense, forgiveness is a form of self-defense, a way of stopping the fatal bleeding of resentment and bitterness. It's a choice we make to let go of our desire for revenge or vindication, and instead choose to forgive as an act of obedience to God. This is not always easy, especially when we have been hurt or sinned against. But as Christians, we are called to forgive, not because it feels good or comes naturally, but because it is a fundamental aspect of our relationship with God. When we forgive, we are not only releasing the person who wronged us, but also ourselves from the burden of resentment and anger.

The connection between our forgiving and being forgiven is a key aspect of this process. As Jesus teaches, our ability to forgive others is directly tied to our understanding of God's forgiveness of us (Matthew 6:12-15). When we realize that we live by the forgiving grace of God, we are empowered to forgive others in the same way. This is not a one-time condition, but rather a daily choice we make to forgive and release those who have wronged us. By doing so, we are not only obeying God's command, but also experiencing the freedom and peace that comes from living in forgiveness.