Counsel #4 — Forgiving Others

Picture: Counsel #4 — Forgiving Others CR 160.1

When someone hurts us or those we love, our natural response is often anger and resentment. Yet, choosing not to forgive is a sin; a poison to our soul and a prison for our hearts. Jesus died to forgive us, freeing us from sin. Choosing to forgive others facilitates healing, liberating us from the burdens of hurt, hate, and anger. When we hold on to these, we lose focus of Jesus and His sacrifice, preventing His Spirit of love from living in us—locking our hearts away from God’s forgiveness.^{[155]https://www.adventist.org/experience-of-salvation/the-heartbeat-of-forgiveness/}CR 160.2

When we allow God to give us a heart to forgive others, we show the same mercy and love that He’s showed us. We’re not pretending everything is okay or letting someone off the hook. We’re recognizing we all need forgiveness, and by forgiving others, we’re saying, “I know I’ve done wrong stuff too, and I’m grateful for God’s forgiveness, so I’m offering that same grace to you.” It’s a powerful way to heal and grow closer to God and each other.^{[156]https://whiteestate.org/devotional/flb/05_05/}CR 160.3

  “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32CR 160.4

“… ‘If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ Matthew 6:14">Matthew 6:14, 15. He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God.” Ellen White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 113CR 160.5

Reflect: How does prayer help in forgiving others who have wounded you deeply?CR 160.6