Forgiveness is crucial, essential, and irreplaceable to the entirety of the Christian faith. Unless we are forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, we have no joyful relationship with God in this life or the eternal life to come. Unless we are forgiven by others and forgive those with whom we journey in this life, we have no joyful relationships with others. It is not a stretch to say that without forgiveness, Christianity simply does not, cannot, and will not exist. This is why the ancient Apostles’ Creed teaches us to confess, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” This week we look at what forgiveness is and is not, as well as the incredibly vital reasons why we need to learn to give forgiveness freely.