Reflection One
What is True Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 (NLT) “Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Luke 6:37 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
Scripture Reflection
The concept of forgiveness in the Christian faith is something I am still learning to understand fully. Many people misunderstand it, thinking it means ignoring wrongs or pretending the hurt doesn’t matter. Some believe it requires feeling love for the one who caused the pain or instantly restoring trust. But true biblical forgiveness goes much deeper, bringing a real freedom that nothing else can give.
True forgiveness begins with honesty, acknowledging the reality of the hurt. It is not denial. It sees the wound, calls it what it is, and then makes a conscious, Spirit-empowered decision to release it. You set the offender free from the debt you feel they owe you, not because they have earned it, but because God has forgiven you so completely and undeservedly. It becomes less about the person who offended you. This is why Paul says, "Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Our standard is not the other person’s apology or remorse; our standard is the immeasurable grace we have received from Christ.
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is an act of obedience. If you wait until your emotions agree, you may never release the offense. When you choose to forgive, God begins healing your heart, untangling the knots of resentment, and restoring your peace. In truth, forgiveness is more about your own freedom than it is about the other person’s actions. Holding on to bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person suffers. It keeps you chained to pain that God longs to lift.