Forgiveness is one of the highest expressions of Agape Love!
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 23:
34 While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, Jesus prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” The soldiers, after they crucified Him, gambled over His clothing.
Jesus expressed forgiveness to those who nailed Him to the cross. Jesus never denied forgiveness and mercy.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
14–15 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, Your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will Your Father forgive your trespasses.”
These verses immediately follow the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus taught His disciples to pray:
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
Jesus then pauses to emphasize this one petition above all the others. That alone tells us how important forgiveness is in the Kingdom of God.
What does Jesus mean?
At first glance, these verses can seem to say that we earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. But when viewed alongside the rest of Scripture, Jesus is teaching something deeper.
Salvation is received by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). We cannot purchase God’s forgiveness through our own actions.
Instead, Jesus is teaching that:
- A forgiven heart becomes a forgiving heart.
- Refusing to forgive reveals a heart that has not fully embraced God’s mercy.
- Our willingness to forgive is evidence that God’s grace is actively working within us.
In other words, forgiveness from God produces forgiveness toward others.
Why is forgiveness so important? Every believer has been forgiven an immeasurable debt.
Jesus illustrated this in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew chapter 18:
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
The servant owed the king an impossible amount—equivalent to many lifetimes of wages. The king completely forgave the debt. Yet that same servant refused to
forgive another man who owed him a comparatively tiny amount.
Jesus’ point is clear:
- Our sins against God are infinitely greater than anyone’s sins against us.
- Since God has shown us such mercy, we are expected to extend mercy.
What happens when we refuse to forgive?
Jesus says,
“Neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
This does not mean God withdraws salvation every time a believer struggles with forgiveness. Rather, unforgiveness damages our fellowship with God.
Note the difference between:
- Relationship (being God’s child)
- Fellowship (walking closely with Him)
A child remains a child even after disobeying his father. But fellowship is strained until the issue is addressed. Persistent unforgiveness creates a barrier to intimate communion with God. It hardens the heart, hinders prayer, and quenches the work of the Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness is not saying the offense was acceptable
Many people confuse forgiveness with:
- pretending nothing happened
- trusting someone again immediately
- removing all consequences
- approving of evil
Biblical forgiveness means:
Choosing to release the debt to God instead of demanding personal vengeance.
Justice may still occur. Boundaries may still be necessary. Trust often must be rebuilt over time.
Forgiveness simply relinquishes the right to revenge.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:
19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves… ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Forgiveness is an act of the will and it is not a feeling. It is a decision made in obedience, feelings frequently follow later.
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 7:
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Neither Jesus nor Stephen waited until the offenders apologized.
Why is unforgiveness so dangerous?
Unforgiveness often produces:
- bitterness
- resentment
- anger
- spiritual blindness
- lack of peace
- difficulty hearing God’s Voice
- broken relationships
Satan often uses unforgiveness as an entry point to divide families, churches, and friendships.
People who truly understand God’s mercy become people who extend mercy.
Forgiveness is not the price we pay to receive God’s grace; it is one of the clearest evidences that we have received it. As Jesus later said: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
In the end, Jesus is inviting His followers into freedom. Unforgiveness keeps us chained to the offense and the offender. Forgiveness does not erase the past, but it releases us from being controlled by it, allowing us to walk in the same mercy that God has lavishly shown us through Christ.