Often, we are very good at holding grudges against people. But God has called us to extend forgiveness. In the context of the Gospel, forgiveness is the gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus. Psalm 103:12 declares that Christ removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. We, too, are called to forgive others. This means consciously deciding to pardon and release our offenders, canceling their debt and letting go of any resentment or desire for revenge. When we forgive someone else, we absorb the debt they owed.

Forgiveness Is the Essence of a Relationship

The only reason we can have a relationship with God is because of the forgiveness Christ has extended to us. Our ability to have relationships with others must be grounded in that same need for forgiveness.

What Forgiveness Is Not

Sometimes when we seek God’s forgiveness, we are asking Him to simply excuse us. But forgiveness is not condoning wrongdoing, mitigating it, or accepting excuses for it. Sin is very serious, and we need to realize that.

Forgiveness is also not removing consequences. When we were forgiven by God for all our sins, the consequences did not disappear. Instead, they were taken on by Jesus when He bore our debt.

The Example of Joseph

The story of Joseph is a good example of forgiveness. This man was terribly wronged by his brothers. Upon being reunited with them, he was confronted with a choice: would he dispense forgiveness? Genesis 45:15 records his decision: “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.”

Later, in chapter 50, the brothers began to doubt his forgiveness. With reassuring words, Joseph comforted them, explaining that he had no choice but to forgive — God was his brothers’ judge, and he had no right to put himself in God’s place.

We are prone to doubting God’s forgiveness, too. But Christ was blameless and innocent even more than Joseph, and when we see what He was willing to do for us on the cross, we can fully embrace His forgiveness.

Forgiveness Is Essential for Sanctification

In Matthew 18:21–35, Peter probably thought he was being generous when he asked Jesus if he must exercise forgiveness seven times toward someone who had wronged him. But Jesus suggested that forgiveness is unlimited. He went on to tell a story to illustrate that divine mercy should change our hearts so that we forgive others.

When we forgive those who have wronged us, we are able to walk more closely with God. When we refuse to forgive, we distance ourselves from the Father. We should forgive because we want to restore relationships with others, because we are commanded to, because we fear the Lord, and because we have received extravagant grace through Christ. Let’s extend to others what we have received! What impact is Christ’s forgiveness having on you?