Article: The Power of Forgiveness | Jacob Varghese

One of the most powerful yet challenging aspects of our Christian walk is forgiveness. Forgiveness is central to the message of Christ, and it is foundational to our relationships with God and one another. Yet, forgiveness is often difficult, especially when we have been deeply hurt. How do we forgive when the pain feels unbearable? What does God say about forgiveness, and what happens when we extend it? We need to explore these questions through the lens of Scripture.
I. Understanding Forgiveness
Let’s begin by understanding what forgiveness truly means. Forgiveness is not condoning or excusing wrong behaviour. It is not pretending that the hurt didn’t happen. Forgiveness, in its purest form, is a decision to release the debt owed by someone who has wronged us. It’s a conscious choice to let go of resentment and bitterness, to release the offender from the need for vengeance, and to trust God with the outcome.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus wasn’t setting a limit on forgiveness; rather, He was emphasizing that our forgiveness should be boundless, just as God’s forgiveness toward us is.
II. The Need for Forgiveness
We live in a broken world where hurt is inevitable. Relationships can bring joy, but they can also bring pain. We have all experienced the sting of betrayal, the ache of disappointment, and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. In these moments, our natural inclination may be to hold onto the hurt, to let it fester into bitterness. However, God calls us to a different path.
In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs us, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This command to forgive is rooted in the recognition of how much we have been forgiven by God. Our need for forgiveness from God was great, and His grace toward us was undeserved. If we, who have been forgiven much, refuse to forgive others, we misunderstand the depth of God’s mercy toward us.
III. How to Forgive
Forgiving others is not easy, but it is possible through God’s grace. Here are steps to help us walk the path of forgiveness:
1. Acknowledge the Hurt: It is important to honestly recognize the pain caused by the offense. Suppressing or ignoring it won’t lead to healing. Bring your pain to God in prayer, expressing your hurt and asking for His comfort.
2. Pray for the Offender: This may seem difficult, but Jesus commands us to pray for those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44). Praying for the person who wronged you shifts your perspective and allows God to work in your heart.
3. Remember God’s Forgiveness: Reflect on the forgiveness you have received from God. Let that be the foundation from which you forgive others. As it says in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
4. Release the Offense: Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Choose to release the offense, entrusting it to God’s hands. This may need to be done repeatedly, especially if the hurt is deep.
5. Seek Reconciliation When Possible: Forgiveness doesn’t always mean the restoration of the relationship to what it was before, but where possible and safe, seek reconciliation. Romans 12:18 reminds us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
IV. The Transformative Power of Forgiveness
When we forgive, several powerful things happen:
1. We Are Set Free: Holding onto the hurt keeps us in bondage to the past. When we forgive, we release ourselves from the prison of bitterness. Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
2. Healing Begins: Forgiveness is a pathway to healing, both emotionally and spiritually. It allows the wounds inflicted by others to begin to heal, rather than remain as open sores in our hearts.
3. We Reflect God’s Character: God is a God of forgiveness. When we forgive, we mirror His love and grace to the world. We become vessels of His mercy, showing others the same grace that He has shown us.
4. Restored Relationships: While forgiveness doesn’t always lead to reconciliation, it opens the door for restoration where possible. It allows relationships that were once broken to be mended and transformed by God’s grace.
The Lord’s Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, includes a specific petition about forgiveness in verse 12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
This verse is crucial because it highlights two key aspects of forgiveness:
1. Our Need for Forgiveness from God:
The phrase “forgive us our debts” acknowledges that we are in need of God’s forgiveness. In this context, “debts” refer to our sins or wrongdoings—our moral debts to God. Every human being has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23) By asking God to forgive our debts, we are humbly admitting that we have wronged Him and are dependent on His mercy and grace.
2. Our Responsibility to Forgive Others:
The second part of the verse, “as we also have forgiven our debtors,” emphasizes that our forgiveness of others is interconnected with God’s forgiveness of us. Jesus is teaching that if we desire to receive God’s forgiveness, we must also be willing to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. This is not to say that God’s forgiveness is earned by our actions, but rather that a heart that truly understands and receives God’s forgiveness will naturally be inclined to forgive others.
The Lord’s Prayer teaches us that forgiveness is reciprocal. God’s forgiveness of our sins is tied to our willingness to forgive others. Jesus reinforces this concept immediately after the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This emphasizes the seriousness with which God views forgiveness—it is not optional for the believer.
The prayer reminds us that those who have truly experienced God’s mercy should be merciful in return. If we hold onto grudges and refuse to forgive, we contradict the very grace that God has shown us. The ability to forgive others comes from a heart transformed by God’s love. By forgiving others, we not only align ourselves with God’s will, but we also experience healing and restoration in our relationships. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of hurt and retaliation, allowing peace and reconciliation to take place.
The Lord’s Prayer fosters an attitude of humility. By asking for forgiveness, we acknowledge our own shortcomings and our need for God’s grace. By committing to forgive others, we demonstrate our willingness to reflect God’s character in our lives. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us that forgiveness is both a divine gift we receive and a moral obligation we extend. It calls us to live in a state of grace, acknowledging our need for God’s forgiveness and our responsibility to forgive others. When we forgive, we mirror the character of God and open ourselves to the full experience of His mercy and peace.
In closing, let us remember that forgiveness is not an option for the believer—it is a command. But more than that, it is an invitation to experience the freedom and peace that God offers. Forgiveness may be difficult, but it is possible through the power of Christ in us. As we forgive, we experience the healing, freedom, and joy that come from living in the light of God’s grace. May we be a people who forgive others as the Lord has forgiven us, and may our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.

JACOB VARGHESE

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