Why We Must Forgive.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. As followers In Christ, it is important that we forgive those who may have hurt or offended us. This concept of forgiveness is not always easy because sometimes the actions of other people can tend to weigh heavy on our everyday thoughts and emotions. Unforgiveness has caused violence, murder, theft, suicide, molestation, abuse and a list of other horrible acts. When unforgiveness goes on unchecked our emotions fester and we are wide open targets for the spirits of depression and anger to takeover.

So how can we resolve the issue of unforgiveness? First, let’s look at how God forgives us. When Jesus Christ died on the cross he took all of humanities sins there with him. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8. This is describing how great God’s love is for us. It is God’s love that is given to those who do not deserve it, to those that are wicked, and to those that are in ignorance. Because God loves us so much, he sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins. For those who repent and follow Christ, it is them who are justified. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15. If Jesus Christ is there to forgive those who ask for his forgiveness, who are we to not forgive those same people? There are people in the world who offend us and although they may never apologize or seek forgiveness, we are still called to forgive them. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44.

This commandment to forgive is an act of love that only the holy spirit can give us. The desire to hold a grudge against someone is an act of the flesh and it is not from God. In order to forgive others we must first be born again and die to the old patterns of the world. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. When we repent for our sins and get baptized, we will receive the gift of the holy spirit that will grant us the power to forgive. This promise that God has made to us will strengthen us and bless us so that we can give love freely to those who ask for it and to those who do not seem to want it. It is important to have a relationship with God through prayer because it is there that we can ask him to help us to love, forgive, and to be more like Jesus Christ.