The word forgive means to stop feeling angry towards someone for an offense. It seems that every day someone makes us angry. Sometimes it is as simple as cutting in line at the coffee shop or something far more serious. No matter the offense we should do our best to be quick to forgive and slow to anger. If you want to know more about being slow to anger check out our post on that here. I say we should be quick to forgive, but why? What is the point of forgiving people? Will it really make anything better?
Studies have found that people who are willing to forgive are normally happier. The inability to forgive has been shown to make people angry, hostile, anxious or even neurotic. Those who do not forgive others often spend time thinking about how they have been wronged instead of focusing on the good.
Studies have been able to prove that you need to forgive, but the Bible has been teaching us to forgive far longer. Throughout the pages, we read of stories of those who were able to forgive and those that couldn’t. Knowing the real need for forgiveness comes from those pages.
We First Were Forgiven
All people are sinners. Due to our nature, we are drawn to sin like a moth to a flame. Because of our sin, we should be sentenced to an eternity in hell. Thankfully Jesus came to save all people from sin by defeating death, hell, and the grave.
We were forgiven for our sin before we even knew we needed to be saved. We never had to ask for forgiveness, it was given to us in love. Therefore we should forgive those who sin against us, in the same manner, we were forgiven. Do not wait for people to come to you. Instead, go to them as God has done for us.
We do not have to assume that we should forgive other just because we were forgiven. The Bible instructs us to do so in Colossians 3:13.
“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”.
Forgiveness is a Weapon against the Adversary
Satan wants nothing more than for families and churches to be divided. He waits for us to be divided from the group so he can attack us. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”.
By forgiving those who we feel have wronged us we close the divide. It is never worth risking the chance of being all alone and the perfect prey. Not only can you cause yourself to drift from the group, but you can send someone else off alone. When the church is unified the devil loses his power over us.
Never Stop Forgiving
We have to be sure to remember that we do not have a max amount of time we should forgive someone. Sadly it is not uncommon for someone to wrong you time and time again. After a time it will start to feel like you should stop forgiving. Even one of the disciples wondered about this.
Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”.
It won’t always be easy to forgive. However, we are judged based on our actions. Not just by the Lord but by those we encounter daily. When we are quick to forgive and show love people will take notice. At times, this can be the best way to share your faith.
I hope this article has helped you to see why we are called to forgive. If you have someone in your life that you have felt wronged by t is time to forgive them and let it go. Submit to the will of the Lord and allow the light to shine through you.
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