Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a Christian value that is mentioned many times in the Holy Bible. Christians are taught in Mark 11: 25 “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Again, in Matthew 6 : 14-15 it says. “if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

The Holy Bible also tells us, “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (Luke 17: 3-4). Christians must forgive but they are also forgiven. For in the same way we are required to forgive, God also forgives us when we repent of our sins. This has been made possible by the great sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us by dying on the cross for our sins. The Bible tells that in Jesus, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” and in Him we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1: 7 -14) – God’s Holy Spirit who lives in us and helps us.

Of course this Christian value of forgiveness may be very difficult for us to live out; especially when we have been seriously wronged. Also, there may be good reason for us to be angry when we face great injustice. The Bible provides instruction on this. It reminds us of how much God has forgiven us for our many wrongdoings. It also reminds us of the help we have from God’s Holy Spirit working within us. In Ephesians 4 : 25 – 32 we read, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Please listen to the below sermon where Timothy Keller of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York explains the practical and spiritual way taught, to us in the Bible, of living the Christian value of forgiveness.