Forgiveness

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven.’” (Matt. 18:21–22 NLT)

A man once carried a deep hurt from something a longtime friend had said about him. Every time he thought about it, the sting came back fresh. He replayed the words, justified his anger, and quietly built a case against that person in his mind.

One day, while reading Scripture, he came across Jesus’ words about forgiving seventy times seven. It struck him—this wasn’t about keeping count. It was about letting go… again and again if necessary.

So he made a decision. Not based on feelings, but on obedience. He said, “Lord, I release this. I forgive him.” At first, nothing changed. The feelings still lingered. But each time the hurt resurfaced, he repeated the decision: I forgive.

Something began to shift

The weight started to lift. The bitterness lost its grip. And eventually, what once felt like a wound became a testimony of freedom.

That’s what forgiveness does

It doesn’t excuse the wrong—it releases you.

The truth is, we’ve all been forgiven far more than we’ll ever be asked to forgive.

“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32)

Forgiveness is not natural—it’s supernatural

It’s a choice empowered by remembering what Christ has done for us. When we hold onto offenses, we carry a burden we were never meant to bear. But when we forgive, we step into the freedom God intends.

Therefore

Choose to forgive—quickly, completely, and repeatedly. Don’t wait for the feeling; act on the truth. Release the offense to God and walk in the same grace that has been given to you.

“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 NIV)