Do I Really Have To Forgive?

We had just had an argument and the atmosphere inside the car was tense and thick. I angled my face away, making sure that my eyes remained riveted to the road ahead of us. The grim expressions on our faces said it all; we were not happy.

But in a fraction of a second, a loud screeching of tires tore through the tense atmosphere, begging for our attention. A drunk driver had just collided with a nearby car, the impact sending it swerving towards us. More specifically, it was headed right at me.

At that moment, all I could think about was, “I’m going to die having not forgiven the people I love over a petty issue.” I wasn’t ready.

Hurt, betrayed, rejected; you name it, we’ve all been in situations where we’ve had to forgive others. I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s not easy, but it’s incredibly liberating. It’s not only liberating for you, but for the other person as well.

“When we deal with unforgiveness in our lives, we set other people free.”

Dr Charles Stanley

Forgiveness is more than just letting go of resentment or a grudge towards an individual. It’s taking off the burden of unforgiveness off of your aching back and giving it to God. Forgiveness is giving others the same measure of grace that God has extended towards us. 

If you’re like me, and that feeling of resentment or bitterness still won’t budge, be sure to read on. Below we take a look at the topmost important reason we ought to forgive others.

It’s A Requirement

Did you know that God commands us to forgive others? It’s one of the commandments with a condition; that if we forgive others, God will also forgive us of our sins. In other words, if we don’t forgive others, our Father in Heaven will not forgive us.

When my dad brought this to my attention, my hair stood on end; literally. So I did a little digging of my own and sure enough, my dad was spot on.

Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Colossians 3:13

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

Mark 11:25

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Matthew 6:14-15

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s forgiveness in my life.  

Think about it this way: Jesus Christ hanging on the cross and giving up His life for us was His way of saying that He’s forgiven us. There’s nothing we could have done to earn His forgiveness, but He did it anyway. If God is so willing to lay down His life in an act of forgiveness and unconditional love, how can we do any less?

Back to the opening scene: the driver was able to swerve and ended up rear- ending the car. Nobody got hurt and up to today, I thank God for His mercy and protection.