Forgiveness is one of the most counter-cultural teachings of the Christian faith. Our world says “get even.” Jesus says “forgive seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). Forgiveness is not weakness — it is one of the most powerful, supernatural acts a human being can perform, and it is central to following Jesus.
What Forgiveness Is — and Is Not
Forgiveness is not saying that what happened was okay. It is not reconciliation (which requires the other person). It is not forgetting. Forgiveness is a choice to release another person from the debt they owe you — to no longer hold their offense against them. It is primarily an act between you and God, not between you and the offender.
Why Christians Must Forgive
Ephesians 4:32 commands: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The motivation for Christian forgiveness is always the forgiveness we have already received. We forgive because we have been forgiven an immeasurable debt (Matthew 18:21-35). Unforgiveness, Jesus warns, closes off our own experience of God’s forgiveness (Matthew 6:15).
Steps Toward Forgiveness
- Acknowledge the pain honestly before God — do not minimize what was done.
- Choose to forgive as an act of will, not a feeling.
- Pray for the person who hurt you (Matthew 5:44) — this breaks the power of bitterness.
- Repeat as needed — forgiveness is often a process, not a single moment.
- Seek counseling for deep wounds — healing is a journey.
Quick Faith Quiz
When Peter asked how many times to forgive, what did Jesus answer?
- A. Seven times
- B. Seventy-seven times (or seventy times seven)
- C. Three times
- D. As long as they apologize
Reveal the answer
B — Seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22), meaning without limit.
Lord, give us the grace to forgive as You have forgiven us. Free us from every chain of bitterness and help us walk in Your liberating love. Amen.
