Forgive as God forgives

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32

Radical forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel. It is by the death of Christ on the cross that provided individuals to realize the magnitude of God’s love. It is not by humanities’ own merit that they will be reconciled with God but only through the work of God appropriated by His grace. Once you come to know and experience God’s forgiveness, it becomes the basis of how you forgive others. This is what Paul described from the text. You are capable of forgiving others because Christ has forgiven you. Christ is the one that modeled this forgiveness and He told His disciples that in praying to God, it should include the desire to ask for forgiveness in the same way Christians should forgive others. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us.” The basis of forgiving others is the forgiveness you receive when you accepted Christ as your Lord. When you forgive, you magnify God in your life. Forgiveness should not be a one-time event but should be an ongoing posture of your heart. Forgiving others is beneficial to the one giving it because it frees you from bitterness, hatred, and anger. It is only by drawing upon the strength of Christ that you grow in your attitude of forgiving others. “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

Blessings.