Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of our salvation journey. The Bible teaches us to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God. However, forgiving others can be challenging, especially when we have been deeply hurt or wronged. So, how can we forgive others as God has forgiven us? In this post, we will explore what the Bible says about forgiveness and how we can apply it to our lives.
Jesus teaches us to forgive others unconditionally, just as he has forgiven us. He says, “If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).
Forgiveness is not always easy, and it does not mean that we condone or excuse the wrongs done to us. Instead, forgiveness is a choice to release the person who has hurt us from our anger, bitterness, and desire for revenge. It is a decision to let go of the hurt and pain and allow God to heal our wounds.
One way to start the process of forgiveness is to pray for the person who has hurt us. This may involve asking God to bless them, show them mercy, and bring them to repentance. We can also ask God to help us see the person through his eyes and to give us the strength to forgive them.
Another helpful practice is to speak with a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor about our feelings and struggles with forgiveness. They can offer support, encouragement, and guidance as we work through the process of forgiveness.
We can also remind ourselves of God’s forgiveness and how we have been forgiven through Christ. We can meditate on verses such as Ephesians 4:32, which says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ultimately, forgiveness is a journey, and it may take time and effort to fully release the person who has hurt us. But as we choose to forgive, we open ourselves up to the healing and restoration that God wants to bring to our lives. May we all seek to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God.
