Forgiveness

In 1 John 1:9, it says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” For a sinner like myself, this is an amazing scripture. To know that the God of all creation is willing to forgive me of my sins, regardless of what they are, is truly amazing.

I think we all love this idea of forgiveness. And that’s because deep down inside, we all know the depth of our sin and failures. We know our need for forgiveness and we love that God has made a way for us to be forgiven. It’s a powerful act of love and grace that not only brings us closer to God but also brings healing and peace to our hearts.

The thing is, God’s desire to bring forgiveness to our lives includes us extending that same forgiveness to others. In Colossians 3:13, we’re told: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”This verse reminds us that forgiveness is not optional for those who choose to follow Jesus. God forgave us of our sins and we’re called to forgive others. It’s through this act of forgiveness that we imitate God’s character and share His heart of love.

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, makes it clear that our own forgiveness hinges on our willingness to forgive others. In Matthew 6:14-15, He tells us: “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 means if we choose to harbor bitterness and resentment in our hearts for others, we block the flow of God’s forgiveness into our own lives. This is a powerful reminder of the intimate connection between God’s forgiveness and our own desire to forgive.

Forgiveness is a gift that we have received from the Lord—a gift that we are then commanded to offer to others. It’s a gift that is ours for the taking, but only if we are willing to extend the same gift to others. It is a divine act of love, reflecting God’s amazing grace and mercy. As we extend forgiveness to others, we become vessels of God’s love, drawing nearer to His heart and fulfilling His purpose for our lives. May we all learn to embrace God’s heart of forgiveness and experience the transformative power it brings.