Forgive Like Jesus!

October 15, 2026

Forgive Like Jesus!

I can’t forgive them; they hurt me too deeply, too long!

I won’t forgive them; they have no remorse, no regret!

I shouldn’t forgive them; they will wrong me again and again!

Forgiveness is often one of the most difficult things we can do. While the hurt and the wrong inflicted on us are still wrecking our peace and our joy and our love, it is hard to initiate a conversation about forgiving the other person.

Forgiveness is especially challenging when the person is still actively engaged in hurting us. Although the frequency of the hurtful words or actions may be diminishing, there are still the occasional blows to our physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual well-being.

Sometimes it is easier to avoid the person and the conversation about forgiveness than to initiate something that might bring healing and wholeness. I think of Jesus gasping for His last breaths as He dies on a cross outside of Jerusalem. With one of those breaths, Jesus offers as word of forgiveness that restores the criminal dying next to Him.

Forgiveness is often one of the hardest things we can do! And yet, the Bible calls us to be people who forgive. It is clear the Christians in the church in first century Colossae were struggling with forgiving other people. In his letter to the church, Paul speaks about the importance of forgiveness.

In Colossians 3:13-14 the Apostle Paul writes; “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lordhas forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” 

Paul says we are to “…forgive each other; just as the Lordhas forgiven you…”

+We are to forgive that other person with the same kind of mercy, with the same kind of patience, and with the same kind of love that Jesus has when He forgives you and me.

+We are to forgive that other person with the same kind of hope for healing, with the same kind of hope for reconciliation, and with the same kind of hope for an end to hurtful behavior and words that Jesus has when He forgives you and me.

Paul then tells us what happens when we forgive that other person. In Colossians 3:14 Paul writes; “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

If love is the motivation for our engagement in forgiveness, harmony is the hope for our engagement in forgiveness. I forgive that other person because I want to love them more than I do right now. I forgive that other person because I want harmony restored to our relationship.

However, love and harmony are not always things I can produce in my relationship with a person who has hurt me deeply and/or often. I need help to forgive the person I am convinced I can’t forgive or won’t forgive or shouldn’t forgive.

The Holy Spirit will help me forgive when I can’t see a way.

+The Holy Spirit will nudge me when I don’t want to engage in the conversation about forgiveness.

+The Holy Spirit will give me the words to say when I don’t know how to initiate the conversation about forgiveness.

+The Holy Spirit will give me the strength and courage I need to continue the conversation about forgiveness when I would rather walk away.

+The Holy Spirit will give me the hope the relationship can be filled with harmony when I can’t believe it can happen.

Who is that one person you believe you can’t forgive, won’t forgive, or shouldn’t forgive?

What would it look like to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the desire to initiate a conversation about forgiveness? What would it look like to call upon the Holy Spirit to give you strength and courage for that conversation? Could the Holy Spirit protect you from further harm if you engaged in the conversation about forgiveness? Will the Holy Spirit guide you in the words to say and the actions to take to engage in and bring a God-honoring end to your conversation about forgiveness?

One of the hardest statements Jesus makes is about forgiving other people. In Matthew 6:14-15 (CEV) Jesus says; “If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Those words drive me to my knees in prayer. I wonder if I have forgiven all the people and the wrongs they have done to me. Every one of them! Or, am I avoiding one of those people because I have convinced myself I can’t forgive, won’t forgive, or shouldn’t forgive them?

I know what Paul says and I know what Jesus says. I pray; “Holy Spirit, I need you to help me do the work of forgiveness in my life. Come, Holy Spirit, Come!”

When I forgive, harmony is restored, love begins to grow deeper, peace fills my soul, and joy returns to me life. And then, delight in the Lord overflows in my heart.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug