10 Truths About Forgiveness

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Forgiveness is hard. Our hurts are real—often deep—and frequently long-lasting. Bitterness and un-forgiveness are more present and dangerous than we realize. Let’s take a look at some truths about how to move forward with forgiveness.

  1. Forgiveness Requires Confession. Before we can “get right” with people, we must “be right” with God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

  2. Forgiveness Must Be Experienced In Faith.  Forgiveness isn't about saying or doing the right thing, it is about freely receiving and freely overflowing the greatest gift ever given. We must start by daily trusting and treasuring Jesus more than anything or anyone. “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).

  3. Forgiveness Releases and Removes Infection. Bitterness and un-forgiveness is like bacteria festering in a wound, it must be removed and destroyed before it spreads and deepens. “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13).

  4. Forgiveness Heals Wounds. Wounds don't just need the removal of infection, they need the healing of what has been damaged. When we turn to Jesus with our whole heart, He heals our damaged lives in lasting ways. “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

  5. Forgiveness Strengthens Our Lives. When we receive and give forgiveness, we mature and grow stronger through spiritual exercise of faith. “Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:5-7).

  6. Forgiveness Frees Our Living. Bitterness and un-forgiveness enslaves and burdens. Forgiveness brings freedom and joy.  “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

  7. Forgiveness Reveals Salvation. Granting undeserved forgiveness evidences that we have within us a supernatural forgiveness experienced from the blood of Jesus. “For 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).

  8. Forgiveness Reminds Us of Our Ultimate Enemy.  Behind the scenes we have an enemy in Satan, enticing us into to the trap of hatred. We do not wrestle with flesh and blood. “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

  9. Forgiveness Is Extended by True Believers. Hurt people hurt people. Forgiven people forgive people. How can we not offer forgiveness as Jesus has forgiven us? “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

  10. Forgiveness Enjoys & Shows the Gospel. Great joy flows out of receiving and granting undeserved forgiveness.  In Christ, we are blessed beyond all compare. “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;  blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin” (Romans 4:7-8).

What wounds do you have? What will you do with your hurts? How will you live—in the joy, healing, and freedom of forgiveness?  Or in the enslavement of sinful bitterness? Will you forgive as Jesus has forgiven you? If Jesus has forgiven you, you will forgive.