Counsel #21 — Forgiveness With Caution

Picture: Counsel #21 — Forgiveness with CautionCR 39.1

Forgiving friends who hurt you is essential for your emotional and spiritual well-being. Forgiveness not only frees you from resentment and bitterness, but it also allows you to heal and move forward to what God has planned for your life. However, forgiveness does not always mean restoring the friendship to its previous level, especially if the trust was significantly broken.CR 39.2

As Christians, God requires us to be kind to one another and forgive just as Christ forgave us, but this does not always lead to full reconciliation, and that is okay. The element of forgiveness reflects God’s grace, but it doesn’t obligate you to disregard caution or allow harmful behavior to continue. For example, you can forgive a friend for betraying your trust while choosing to maintain a respectful distance. Forgiving without allowing access again is an act of wisdom and self-respect, ensuring you have learned a valuable lesson regarding putting your trust in a certain individual or situation.^{[39]https://www.sandyadventistchurch.org/pastors-blog/forgiveness-and-trust}CR 39.3

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIVCR 39.4

“We can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.” Ellen White in The Faith I Live By, p. 131CR 39.5

Reflect: Do you find it hard to forgive someone who hurt you?CR 39.6