Biblical Answer

The Counterintuitive Nature of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a process, not an event. It requires practice to perfect it, as it goes against our natural instincts. Forgiveness is an act of self-defense, a tourniquet that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment. We may forgive the injuries others do to us, but only God can forgive the sins we commit against Him. As Christians, we must forgive as we have been forgiven, not seeking our own revenge or vindication. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, but it means not holding a person's sin against them.

The Connection between Forgiving and Being Forgiven

The connection between forgiving and being forgiven is graphically expounded. Jesus teaches us that knowing we live by the forgiving grace of God, we must do the work of forgiving wrongdoers in our hearts and then go to God and ask for forgiveness. This means that forgiveness cannot be a one-time event, but rather a continuous process. We must renew our commitment to forgive when feelings of resentment or bitterness well up within us. This is not to say that forgiving is a prior condition of being forgiven, but rather that forgiveness is a necessary part of our relationship with God.

The Importance of Forgiveness in a World of Hurt and Broken Relationships

In a world of hurt and broken relationships, forgiveness is essential. When we are hurt, we have a choice to make: give in to our hurt, resentment, and bitterness, or grow as a Christian and learn to forgive. Forgiveness is not about forgetting, but about not holding a person's sin against them. It is a process that requires practice, and it is a necessary part of our relationship with God. By forgiving others, we are not only releasing them from the consequences of their actions, but also freeing ourselves from the grip of resentment and bitterness. This is the solution Jesus gives us in a world of hurt and broken relationships. By choosing to forgive, we can find peace and restoration in our relationships with God and others.