Instead be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
When I asked the Lord what He wanted me to share about He said write about forgiveness. In the Bible, the greek word translates the word forgiveness as to let go, of an offense done against you. Forgiveness sounds like an easy thing to do when it’s a minor offense.
But what do you when someone hurts you or a loved one? What do you do if a family member is killed by a drunk driver or you’ve been falsely accused of something you didn’t do? The answer is still the same, even if it’s hard choose forgiveness whether the person is repented or not. Jesus modeled what true forgiveness looks like. While He was on the cross in a lot of pain, one of the words that He said to the Father was “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing” Jesus forgave the worst, He was beaten, nailed on the cross but He forgave while that was happening and asked the Father to show them mercy.
Joseph is another example he was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused of a crime he never commited and spent many years in prison and yet he still chose to forgive. Considering that he was in a position of authority, when his brothers came to him in Egypt, he could have returned evil for evil. Instead he said, what you meant for evil God turned it for my good, and showed them mercy and kindness. In the same manner God also expects us to forgive those who have hurt us, by showing them the same kind of mercy that He shows us. When we accepted Christ in our hearts he forgave us of our sins and wiped our slates clean. And He continues to show us that same mercy daily for our shortcomings. God expects us to forgive whether the other person is repented or not. He cares so much for us and knows that unforgiveness only hurts us, it only leads to bitterness, anger and more pain. He wants our hearts to be made whole and not stuck in that pain. He loves us so much that when we give Him that pain He will walk us through it and heal it. God understands your pain, He doesn’t just only expects you to forgive, but He lovingly holds you, wipes away your tears and heals you, just like a loving Father does.
Today if you’re going through pain because of something that someone did to you, give it to the Father, invite Him in your pain, there’s no part of you or issue in your life that He’s not interested in. His love for you is so much greater than you can ever imagine. He heals the broken hearted and expects you to forgive even where injustice has been done, for He knows how to administer true justice. Just like in Joseph’s case He certainly knows how to turn any situation around and give you beauty for ashes and repay for the wrongs that have been done.
If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks for forgiveness, you must forgive.” Luke 17:3-4