Forgiveness is key to living a holy life in Christ. It is directly related to Charity, which is the highest of the theological virtues. Charity is loving God above all, and loving our neighbor because that is what God desires It helps us will the good of others above our own, particularly, of those who have wronged us. We are to forgive them regardless of the hurt they have caused. When Jesus, in scripture, gives us the Our Father prayer, he clearly warns us that we absolutely must always forgive others when they offend us. If we do not, then we are not able to receive God’s forgiveness for our own wrongdoing. This is critical to our eternal salvation. IN THIS CARD: Jesus is forgiving the woman caught in adultery. We see the rocks at his feet that the Pharisees have left behind when Jesus admonishes them saying “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
“Matthew 6:14–15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” This is part of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the reciprocal nature of forgiveness.
Matthew 18:21–22 Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone—up to seven times? Jesus replies: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
This shows forgiveness should be limitless.
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” A call to mercy and grace toward others.
Luke 23:34 Jesus on the cross says: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This is the ultimate example of forgiveness even in suffering.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Paul urges believers to imitate God’s forgiveness.
Colossians 3:12 – 15 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”
Illustration by: Colton Rompala