CHRISTIAN LIFE

Forgiving Others

One of the most difficult things Christians are called to do is to forgive others. Why do we have to? How do we forgive when we don't want to? And what about forgetting?

Day One: Unforgiveness
The Bible has quite a bit to say about forgiveness and unforgiveness. Perhaps the most well-known teaching on unforgiveness is Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant, recorded in Matthew 18:21-35...
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For more, see: "The Three Types of Forgiveness"

Day Two: How to Forgive
Everyone has been wronged, offended, and sinned against at some point. How are Christians to respond when such offenses occur? According to the Bible, we are to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 declares, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"...
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For more, see: "Called to Forgiveness"

Day Three: Forgetting
The phrase "forgive and forget" is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous verses commanding us to "forgive one another" (e.g., Matthew 6:14 and Ephesians 4:32). A Christian who is not willing to forgive others will find his fellowship with God hindered...
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For more, see: "Planting and Harvesting: Forgive and Forget"

Day Four: Withholding Forgiveness
The Bible speaks of two kinds of forgiveness—human forgiveness, that of people extending forgiveness toward others, and divine forgiveness, God's forgiving human beings. Is there a difference?...
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For more, see: "Forgiveness of the Heart"

Day Five: Forgiving Ourselves
Never does the Bible talk about the idea of "forgiving yourself." We are told to forgive others when they trespass against us and seek forgiveness. When we ask for God's forgiveness based upon Christ having already paid for our sins and our having trusted in Him as Savior and Lord, He forgives us...
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For more, see: "Forgive Yourself"

Image Credit: Micah Sheldon; "Montana"; Creative Commons