Skip to main content

How can I forgive those who sin against me?

 


Forgiving those who have harmed or wronged us is definitely not easy. Don't feel like you are the only one struggling with forgiveness. All of us have been wronged at some time or another, and if we're honest, we've wronged others too. Everybody will be faced with the question of "How can I ever forgive that person for ____________?" But the Bible is exceedingly clear on the subject of forgiveness. We are to forgive. No exceptions. Even those people who have not come to us asking for forgiveness or in no way show any signs of a repentant heart. Yes, we have to forgive them too.

Why we should forgive

I know what you're thinking. "But why? Why should I forgive ____________ for doing ____________ to me?" Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Could it be any more obvious?
The next question springing to your mind is, "But you don't know what they did! If you knew, you would understand why I can't forgive them." Maybe. I would be dishonest with you if I did not admit that the story in Matthew 18:21-22 was one of the most challenging ones I have ever encountered:

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 

Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
See the point the Lord is making here? There is no limit to how often and how much you should forgive your brother or those who wrong you. I know, it's hard. Some of us aren't that patient!

Don't Forget Who Forgave You

You were once forgiven—forgiven of far more than anything any person could do against you. God has forgiven our sins, wiped our debt away, which we in no way could have paid on our own. And this wasn't a little slight; we have sinned against a holy and perfect God. Think of the cost God had to endure in order to remove this debt from you. He sacrificed the life of His one and only Son (John 3:16)! Then He freely granted you this forgiveness (1 John 1:9)! Put that into perspective with whatever someone has done against you. If God has forgiven so much of us, how can we refuse forgiveness to others?

How We Forgive

"Okay, great. You've established why I have to forgive, but you haven't said how." I'm getting there! You may have even picked up on that answer earlier. We forgive by loving others more than ourselves. That is, we make other people's needs more important than our own.
Through prayer, Biblical guidance, and help of the Holy Spirit, we will find the strength to forgive. As we walk with Him, we strive to be more like Jesus, who gave His life for each of us and forgave those who sinned against Him. Forgiving others is one more way we can grow in our journey as believers.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sebastopol SSS: Learning for Life

Reflecting on my college years at Sebastopol SSS, where our motto was "Learn for Life," I can’t help but smile at the memories that flood my mind. Those formative years were filled with laughter, learning, and friendships that shaped my life in ways I am still discovering today. Education That Extended Beyond the Classroom At Sebastopol, education was a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of knowledge and life lessons. I can still picture Miss Sheilani, our spirited French teacher, who not only taught us the intricacies of the language but also introduced us to the magical world of Harry Potter. I remember how she organized a movie day where we all gathered to watch the first film. The excitement was palpable, and to this day, I still find joy in revisiting the saga that first captivated us through her enthusiasm. Respecting Life and Each Other Miss Jaya, our biology teacher, was another guiding light. Her lessons were rich with insights about life and the importance of r...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Power of Positive Speech: Blessings and Goodness

In our journey of faith, the power of our words cannot be underestimated. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the profound impact of our speech on our lives and the lives of those around us. When we choose to speak positively, truthfully, and refrain from negative speech, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and goodness abundantly. Speaking Positive Things The Book of Proverbs, a treasure trove of wisdom, provides numerous insights into the significance of our words: - Proverbs 12:18 affirms, "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Our words have the power to heal or harm, to build up or tear down.  - Proverbs 15:4 states, "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Speaking gently and positively can bring life and renewal to situations and relationships. - Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Paradox of Progress

We earn more than our fathers ever did but we don't live richer lives. We are more educated than our fathers but we don't make wiser life choices. We travel faster and further than our fathers ever did but we know less about life. We have more technological devices than our fathers had but we don't stay more connected to our family and close ones. We have a thousand more friends and contacts than our fathers had but we don't feel more loved than they did. We have more facilities than our fathers had but we are not happier than they were. We are better off than our fathers in all aspects of life, but we are not doing better than they did. We have access to more information than our fathers could ever dream of, but we struggle to find the truth. We work more efficiently than our fathers did, yet we feel more overwhelmed by our responsibilities. We have more entertainment options than our fathers ever had, but we find it harder to enjoy simple pleasures. We live in more ad...
Post a Comment
Read more