FAITH AND FORGIVENESS

According to Wikipedia, Forgiveness involves wilfully putting aside feelings of resentment toward someone who has committed a wrong, been unfair or hurtful, or otherwise harmed you in some way. Forgiveness is not merely accepting what happened or ceasing to be angry.  While having a conversation with members of our platoon, they had the following to say about forgiveness.

Ayomide and Adaoma say forgiveness is an intentional act of freeing ourselves from the burden of resentment, hurt, betrayal, trauma and anything that may be weighing our hearts down. When we don’t forgive others, it becomes like a prison that traps and torments us as we endlessly chew things over, which shows that unforgiveness is bad for our health; spiritually and physically.

Dami and Ore agree that Forgiveness is letting go of past hurt and mistakes, it is clinging onto the love that God has for us. It is removing the hurt and betrayal that may have happened to you in stages and in phases. Forgiveness is letting go of the way people might have done you harm even from loved ones and embraces God’s love towards yourself and others.

Dr Freda says that forgiveness comes with forbearing and tolerating. It is important that when we forgive, we forgive to the extent and not hold it in a place of resentment. Forgiveness is a commandment from God, but it is also a choice, that we should bring into the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us let go of pain and hurt. We should forgive just as our father in heaven forgives us!

Colossians 3:13. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (NLT)

Onyioza and Demi said unforgiveness is like a blindfold where you only see that person’s wrongdoing, and not being able to see past that, which can affect other areas of our lives, and if we do that, we limit how God can work through us. We sometimes pray for God to help us see the way He sees, but how can we do that if we’re blinded by unforgiveness? Forgiveness, although not easy, is doing our best, not to ignore, but to intentionally choose not to be blinded by or eaten up by the wrongdoing(s) committed against us, no matter how badly or deeply it hurts us.

What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

The Bible teaches us that forgiveness is an important and essential part of our faith. It teaches us God’s forgiveness towards mankind and the need for us to forgive ourselves and others.

Matthew 6:14 – “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (KJV)

 We who have been forgiven such an enormous debt by God should always be ready to forgive, not doing so shows ingratitude and a lack of understanding towards what God has done for us through Christ.

The bible teaches us we are to love our neighbours as ourselves, forgiveness is an act of love. Just as we see throughout the Bible, God loved the Israelites despite their unfaithfulness, and He forgave them countless times. God forgives us because He loves us, so if we really understood what it means to be forgiven by God, then we will always seek to be forgiving towards others. We remember the scripture

Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (NLT),

Forgiveness should not be an option, it should be part of our second nature.

Why is forgiveness important in the life of a Christian?

Forgiveness is an important part of Christianity, yet it is often one of the hardest things to practice. When we are hurt, betrayed, or wronged, our natural response is to hold onto resentment. However, through faith, we are called to forgive, not just for the sake of others but for our own spiritual freedom. Letting go of resentment allows us to experience God’s grace and live in the peace He desires for us. Jesus exemplified ultimate forgiveness, teaching us that it is not about excusing wrongdoing but about healing our own hearts. Holding onto resentment harms us, while forgiveness brings peace and spiritual renewal.

How do we let go of resentment to others and ourselves?     

We can let go of resentment firstly by consciously taking action when we feel a hint of burden in our hearts towards someone, like we said earlier, keeping malice is like a prison that affects our health. At times when we begin to have such feelings, we need to realign ourselves to the truth of God’s Word.

Ephesians 4:31-32: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Most times, we find it hardest to forgive ourselves. We feel guilty and ashamed by our sin and feel that holding ourselves in unforgiveness is a price we must pay for the sin, which is a form of imprisoning ourselves. When God says He forgives us, then we should forgive ourselves. That is how we let go of resentment.