In this episode of Hold Fast, we take a deeper look at a topic we wrestled with in our adult Sunday School class this past Sunday: forgiving someone you may never be fully reconciled with. What do you do when someone wounds you so deeply that you have zero desire to forgive them? What about when you want to forgive, but your emotions refuse to follow? And what about those painful situations where God has helped you forgive in your heart, yet the relationship itself may never return to what it once was?

We’ll walk through what Scripture clearly commands regarding forgiveness—toward believers and even toward our enemies—and why withholding forgiveness is never an option for those who belong to Christ. We’ll also consider the reality that forgiveness is relational, why reconciliation isn’t always possible, and how to discern righteous anger from sinful anger.

Finally, we’ll explore the temptation to demand “payment” from those who hurt us and why that mindset contradicts the very heart of the gospel. Christ’s sacrifice is enough—for their sin and for yours. Our calling is to forgive as we have been forgiven, to stand ready for reconciliation whenever repentance comes, and to entrust ultimate justice to the Lord.