Christian Forgiveness: Releasing the Weight of Bitterness
Matthew 18:21–22
“Then Peter came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’”
Forgiveness is difficult in certain situations. It has everything to do with what was done and by whom.
Betrayals are what rock my world. Finding out that someone close has been undermining you or, at the very least, not believing in you is extremely painful for me. As I've talked about, I have self-worth issues that developed in childhood. Through the grace of God, I am releasing those weights that have slowed me down. None of what I went through is anyone I know now's fault. Still, it can weigh me down and turn something that might seem small to others into something pretty devastating.
As a follower of God, I am called to forgive, just as you are. The Bible doesn't have stories of people being excused from forgiving because they had a rough time in the past. We are all sinners saved by grace. Christian forgiveness isn't based on whether the other person deserves it; it comes from recognizing how much grace we have already received.
There are some key misunderstandings people have about forgiveness:
Forgiving does not let them off the hook. Their accountability to God is not your concern.
Forgiveness is an internal change on your part. It does not require the offender to apologize or do anything.
The reason we forgive is to mirror the massive amount of mercy we have been given and to free ourselves from bitterness. Holding onto grudges is like an IV drip of poison, slowly killing your joy, your mental health, and your ability to do what the Lord has called you to do. As long as we hold onto resentment, we give a foothold to the enemy.
This is where Christian forgiveness becomes more than simply saying, "I forgive you." It's choosing to release the bitterness, even when the hurt was real.
If Jesus could pray to forgive the people who nailed Him to the cross, then we can forgive someone regardless of what they did. Passing God's compassion along is the natural response for people who recognize the grace they have been given. Seventy times seven—that is what we are called to do. And when it feels impossible, turn that microscope inward and recognize the forgiveness you have already received.
Do you see how much grace you've been given?
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.
Ephesians 4:31–32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
