The Benefits of Forgiveness

“I can’t forgive them for …”

This is a common theme in most people’s lives. Someone has done something hurtful and they can’t seem to forgive the offense.

But not forgiving is one of the worst things we can do, because it withholds tremendous benefits from the Lord in which He wishes to pour out into our lives, beginning with forgiveness.

Further, forgiveness isn’t a matter of picking and choosing who or what we want to forgive. Instead forgiveness is a way of life, and something to be offered to everyone no matter what.

So it doesn’t matter who we might be holding resentment against, in the end it will eat us alive, along with those we love. The writer of Hebrews tells us not to fall short of God’s grace in this; otherwise a root of bitterness will spring up in our lives, defiling not only ourselves, but also all those who are around us. (Hebrews 12:15)

But when we offer forgiveness it transforms our lives. It fills us an abundance of joy and peace.

Consider the words of Jesus, who said,

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

And so with the same measure you forgive, it shall be forgiven you, which is at the heart of what Jesus also tells us.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

So today, choose to forgive, no matter what the offense may be, and allow the beauty of God’s forgiveness to overwhelm your soul, bringing peace and joy without measure.