THE RHYTHM OF FORGIVENESS
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
Forgiveness is easy when it doesn’t matter. We can forgive and let go when someone cuts us off in traffic or is rude to us in a store. But what happens when harm is devastating—friends who leave, a spouse who cheats, parents who abuse, a family that rejects, a church that wounds? What then?
The command Jesus gives here isn’t another burden. He’s not saying, You’d better sweep that under the rug, or else… No, He’s inviting us into something deeper. He’s teaching us how to live.
Forgiving someone doesn’t mean disregarding the pain caused or pretending the wounds don’t exist. The forgiveness we extend to others begins with honestly acknowledging the damage done. How can we heal without understanding the pain? A good doctor wouldn’t treat cancer with ibuprofen—they’d take a deep, honest look at the issue and begin there. The same is true for forgiveness.
Jesus’ command to forgive is a lifeline—because it’s in the process of forgiveness that healing, life and fullness truly begin. Forgiveness loosens the grip of bitterness and creates space, sometimes for restoration, but always for peace, joy and wholeness.
In contrast, refusing to begin the process of forgiveness can lead to bitterness, anger and a dulling of our awareness of God’s presence. Choosing not to forgive damages everything. Jesus isn’t saying our eternal destiny depends on how well we forgive. Scripture is clear: He extended forgiveness to us long before we knew we needed it. It also teaches, however, that our relationship with God suffers when we cling to unforgiveness.
There’s a reciprocal nature to forgiveness. As we experience God's deep, love-filled forgiveness, we’re invited to extend that same grace to others. But when we hold back forgiveness, something in us begins to close. In God’s Kingdom, giving and receiving go hand in hand—the more we receive His mercy, the more we can offer it. And as we offer it, our hearts open wider to receive again. This is the rhythm of grace.
APPLICATION: Take a moment and ask God if there’s anyone you need to forgive. You don’t need to have figured it out—just be willing to start. Ask Him to help you receive His forgiveness more deeply and give you the grace to take the next step.
PRAYER: Jesus, teach me how to forgive. Fully and freely. Your way is the best way, and I choose it as my own. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?