GOD IS FORGIVING: CHOOSE FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we will ever need to do. It feels simple in theory, but when we’ve been hurt deeply, it becomes anything but easy. Sometimes we convince ourselves we’ve already forgiven, only to find that our words, silences, and hidden resentments reveal otherwise.

We cannot truly forgive on our own strength; we forgive because our gracious God first forgives us. When the Lord revealed Himself to Moses, He declared His very nature as compassionate, gracious, abounding in love and forgiveness (Exodus 34:6–7). To walk in forgiveness, we must first know the God who forgives. Have you experienced the richness of true forgiveness? Let’s look at three key aspects of what true forgiveness really means.

OUR ETERNAL IDENTITY

Forgiveness is not forgetting or ignoring consequences — rather, it is a choice rooted in who we are in Christ. Because we have been chosen by God, holy and beloved (Colossians 3:12), forgiveness is part of our eternal identity and daily practice. Jesus reminds us that He chose us, not the other way around (John 15:16), appointing us to live as His witnesses. As God’s people, we are called to glorify Him, extend His grace, and live holy lives that reflect His forgiveness.

OUR EVERYDAY PRACTICE

We choose forgiveness by putting it to practice every day. Jesus teaches us that before we can receive God’s forgiveness, we need to forgive others first (Matthew 6:14-15). If we still choose to hold onto our unforgiveness, we tell God that the pain we experience is bigger than Him. Just as Joseph chose to forgive rather than condemn his brothers (Genesis 50:19-20), we too can find joy, peace, and restoration when we choose to make forgiveness our everyday practice. In return, we experience God’s blessings through His pleasure, a display of Christlikeness, peace of mind and heart, and more.

OUR EXCELLENT MODEL

We choose forgiveness because Jesus Christ chose to forgive us first. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he ought to forgive, Jesus responded that we must forgive without keeping count, teaching that we must live with hearts always ready to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22). Think of the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Instead of rejoicing at his sibling’s return, he demanded punishment, forgetting the love and grace he himself had received from their father (Luke 15:25–32). In the same way, when we cling to resentment, we lose sight of the mercy God has shown us. Justice and vengeance are never ours to carry; they belong to God alone (Romans 12:19).

Our task is simple but not easy: to forgive. And as we receive God’s forgiveness through Christ, our hearts are transformed to extend that same forgiveness to others.