Tag: forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness—Mercy in Action

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

In our last discussion, we explored what it means to love mercy (Micah 6:8)—not just to show it when necessary but to cherish and actively pursue it. Today, we’re taking that idea further by looking at one of the most powerful ways we live out mercy: forgiveness.

Forgiveness isn’t easy. If you’ve ever been hurt, betrayed, or wronged, you know how hard it can be to let go. Sometimes, the pain feels too deep. The offense feels too personal. But Jesus makes it clear: forgiveness isn’t optional for those who follow Him.

Why Forgiveness is an Act of Mercy

Mercy is all about not giving someone the punishment they deserve. When we forgive, we choose to let go of our right to hold something against another person.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answers, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” In other words—keep forgiving.

Jesus follows this with the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35). A man is forgiven a massive debt by his king, but instead of extending the same mercy, he refuses to forgive someone who owes him a much smaller amount. The king is furious and punishes the man.

The message? We have been forgiven an immeasurable debt by God. How can we refuse to forgive others?

Forgiveness Sets You Free

Here’s the truth: forgiveness isn’t just for the other person—it’s for you.

Holding onto resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. It chains us to the past, keeping us stuck in anger and bitterness. Mercy breaks those chains.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

How We Can Forgive When It’s Hard

  1. Remember how much God has forgiven you. When we realize how deep His mercy is, it becomes easier to extend it to others.
  2. Pray for the person who wronged you. It’s hard to stay bitter when you genuinely ask God to bless someone.
  3. Release the right to revenge. Mercy means choosing to let go of payback and trusting God with justice.
  4. Keep forgiving. Sometimes forgiveness is a process, not a one-time decision. Keep choosing mercy.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most powerful ways we can walk in mercy. And when we forgive, we show our commitment to reflecting God’s character.

Reflection Questions:

  1. While both are important, do you agree that forgiving someone is more about setting yourself free than letting the other person off the hook?  
  2. Why do you think forgiveness is so hard for many people? 
  3. How does forgiving someone reflect the mercy God has shown us?
  4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard about forgiving someone?