C.S. Lewis once said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” Forgiveness is not merely a nice gesture but a command for those who have received God’s mercy. Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiving the inexcusable means releasing someone from the debt they owe you, even when they don’t deserve it. This is exactly what God did for us. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We did nothing to earn His forgiveness, yet He gave it freely. In the same way, we are called to extend that same grace to others, not because they are worthy, but because we have been forgiven much.

However, forgiveness is often one of the hardest things to do. One major reason people struggle to forgive is the belief that forgiving means excusing or minimizing the wrong done. When someone deeply hurts us, it can feel like forgiving them is letting them off the hook. But that’s not true. Forgiveness is not saying that what they did was okay, it is choosing to let go of the bitterness and leaving justice in God’s hands. Romans 12:19 reminds us, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Another reason people don’t forgive is pride. Holding onto an offense can feel like holding onto power. But in reality, unforgiveness is a prison we lock ourselves in. It breeds anger and resentment and even affects our relationship with God. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

To be a Christian is to live in the reality of God’s grace. We must extend it to others if we have genuinely received His forgiveness. Not because they deserve it, but because we didn’t either.

By: Justin Odom