Forgiven People Must Forgive

“If you have received Christ’s forgiveness and mercy, there’s only one thing you can do: forgive others. Those who have been forgiven must forgive. As Erwin Lutzer says, “”Forgiveness is a marvelous idea unless you’re the one who has to do it.”” All of us have been hurt and damaged by people. We’ve been sinned against and broken by others’ sin. Perhaps you’re thinking, “”There’s no way I can forgive because of what they did.””

Forgiveness isn’t cheap—it cost God His only Son. Jesus paid the debt we owed so we might be forgiven. And having received that incredible gift, we must extend it to others. You might say, “”I can’t.”” But by God’s grace, you can. When my father was brutally murdered, I had to decide if I was going to live in bitterness or live in forgiveness. God gave me the grace and love to forgive, and He will do the same for you.

This is at the heart of the cross. When we talk about picking up the cross and following Jesus, I can think of nothing more centered in the cross than forgiveness. If you’re carrying the cross, you’re offering forgiveness. These words must mark the lives and testimonies of disciples of Christ: forgive your enemies, forgive those who hurt you, and pray that they will be forgiven by God the Father through Jesus our Lord.”