Forgiveness Isn’t Optional

Same God Part 6

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32

🔄 A Shift from Anger to Action

Last week, we wrestled with the weight of anger and saw its fallout. This week, we’re turning the page—focusing on the freedom found in forgiveness.

In a world that glorifies revenge and champions payback, God calls His people to live differently. Forgiveness isn’t optional—it’s essential for those who follow Christ.

🧠 Make Room for Forgiveness

Ephesians 4 repeats the rhythm of “put off” and “put on.”
We can't make room to forgive until we've cleared out the bitterness, wrath, and slander clogging our hearts.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger… be put away from you.” (Ephesians 4:31)

Forgiveness requires space. It begins with surrender.

✝️ Forgiveness Imitates Christ

Forgiveness isn’t just about peace with others—it’s about imitating Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-2 urges us:

“Be imitators of God… and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…”

While culture tells us to get even, Christ tells us to lay it down.
True discipleship looks like choosing mercy when revenge feels easier.

💔 Forgiveness Will Cost You—But Bitterness Will Cost You More

Forgiveness always involves a cost: our pride, our desire for justice, our “right” to be angry.
But bitterness costs us our peace, our relationship with God, and often, the very people we love.

“This is about my relationship with God as much or more than it’s about my relationship with those who offended me.”

🧭 Forgiveness Is Intentional

Forgiveness is more than a feeling—it’s a deliberate decision. It flows from a heart shaped by Christ.

Thomas Watson described forgiveness in seven intentional acts:

Resisting revenge
Not returning evil for evil
Wishing them well
Grieving their pain
Praying for their good
Seeking reconciliation when possible
Helping them in distress

This isn’t weakness. It’s the deepest strength.

📖 Forgiveness Is Required

Paul reminds us again in Colossians 3:12–13:

“As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

And Jesus himself made it unmistakably clear in Matthew 6:14–15:

“If you forgive others… your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness isn’t a suggestion—it’s a command.

❤️ The Heart of the Father

One of the most powerful forgiveness stories comes from a father and son in Spain. After years of estrangement, the father placed an ad in a Madrid newspaper:

“Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.”

That Saturday, 800 men named Paco showed up—hoping to receive forgiveness and love from their father.

The world is desperate for that kind of grace.

🙏 Final Reflection

Forgiveness is hard. But it’s holy.
It heals us. Frees us. Reflects the very heart of God.

This week, ask yourself:

Who do I need to forgive—so I can walk in the freedom Christ has given me?

Let’s be known as people who are:
💛 Kind
💛 Tenderhearted
💛 Forgiving—just as God in Christ forgave us.