Every week, I try to think of different topics to write about. This week was no different. I thought about writing similar to what Leon wrote about. I thought about writing on the topic of being courageous in these current times. However, as Friday grew closer, I could tell that God wanted me to write about something different from the topics I had chosen. I have talked about this subject before, but God has led me to write on it once again. Forgiveness.

            In all honesty, we live in very unforgiving times. People are constantly at each other’s throats and even when someone apologizes, they are still held in contempt for what was said or what was done. If you ask me, forgiving others for hurting you is one of the hardest things. However, holding on to that contempt or anger will only hurt you in the end. Forgiving others allows you to receive that peace that God has in store for you. We must learn how to let go of that anger and learn to forgive.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

            As humans, we mess up. I, personally, am not perfect nor have I ever claimed to be. I know that I have hurt people just in the same way that people have hurt me. However, I know that the one person I have hurt the most throughout my life has been Jesus. If He were to be like us, there would be nothing I could do to earn His forgiveness. Yet, because I have come to Him in repentance, He lovingly forgives me and never holds what I did against me. When we are forgiven, we are completely forgiven. God does not forgive us and then keeps our past sins in the back of His mind. No. He forgives and completely forgets our sins.

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” – Isaiah 43:25

            In the same way that He forgives us, we must forgive each other. Do not say that you have forgiven someone and then hold contempt towards them. Forgive them and love them. An example I can take from my life is the relationship I have with my siblings. I am blessed to have the best relationship with my brother and my two sisters. Not many people can say that. They may have a good relationship with one or two of their siblings and a bad relationship with the rest. Or maybe they don’t have a good relationship with any of their siblings. It has always saddened me to see how distant some brothers and sisters can be.

            Again, I do not claim to be perfect. I am saved. Moreover, I am blessed to have a mom who taught my siblings and me the love of Christ and the importance of forgiveness. It is something that I’ve done my best to incorporate into other relationships. It may be difficult at times, but with God’s help, I am learning more and more about how to forgive and forget. I don’t do it to look like the better person. I do it because I want to live a godly life and to have a forgiving nature is one of the things that please God.    

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:1-2

            Live your life in Christ. That is the biggest advice I could ever give to you. When we truly follow Him we are a whole new person. He shows us how to love, how to forgive, and how to live. Don’t do it because you have something to gain. Follow Jesus Christ because you love Him. His love is enough and soon we will see Him again. Until the day Jesus comes back, live your life in Him.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:12-17