Erin Kurnia Do you know that one person that you dislike? They might have done something wrong to you or hurt your feelings in some way. We think that what this person has done is unforgivable. Be honest – I’m sure at least one person has done something wrong to you, whether it’s friends, families, siblings, or even teachers. You might be feeling like I’m forcing you to forgive this person and making another big deal out of this. But it’s way more than that. You’ll find, at the end of the article, that there’s something bigger we all could be missing.
Did you know we did something way worse than what that person has done to you. The truth is, each of us has sinned many times before God. We’ve done terrible things, yet, he still forgives us.
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
How many times should we forgive?
Even though we’ve done countless sins that break God’s heart, He is still merciful to us and keeps forgiving us. And he would like us to do the same to others, even if it means forgiving them over and over again. A passage in the Bible shows how much God would like us to forgive others who have done wrong to us.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Jesus didn’t want us to forgive 7 times, but 70 times 7 times (this doesn’t mean literally 70 times 7 times, but He meant to keep on forgiving however much it may be.)
God’s mercy and forgiveness to us
We now know how forgiving God is to us. He is merciful and full of love. Whether you like it or not, we don’t deserve ANY mercy from God.
“Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.”
Micah 7:18
We, as sinners, don’t deserve ANY of the forgiveness – this doesn’t mean God is cruel; since the fall, we have continuously been sinning before God while He is still patient and merciful to us. But we continue to choose to do the wrong things. Jesus has experienced rejections and people doing wrong to him, no kidding. Jesus was whipped, spat on, rejected, and crucified. And just for our own wickedness.
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:7-8
So now what?
Now you would realize that what the person has done to you, is no worse than what you have done to God.
So if God forgives you, and even died for you, why can’t you forgive your friend, sibling, or whoever hurt you. Every time someone does something wrong to you, try to forgive that person, and remember that God has already forgiven you.
So now you know why it’s important to forgive. In the end, it’s your decision to make, whether you choose to forgive, or not.
I know it will be hard to forgive. I know the feeling because I, too, find it hard to forgive. Take Jesus’ example of forgiving and let yourself do the same to others. Do you choose to forgive today?
Here are some Bible verses to encourage you to forgive (in case you still find it hard):
- “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25
- “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Daniel 9:9
- “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
- “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
- “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
- “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
Erin Kurnia (14) is one of the writers for RE Generation-Z. She hopes that by God’s grace, she can write to spread the Truth and happiness to others, that they too may be children of God living in the light. You will find that she really enjoys playing piano, baking, sewing and designing.