Forgiveness is one of the hardest commands Jesus gave His followers. It’s easy to say the word but living it out cuts deep. Real forgiveness is more than overlooking an offense or saying, “It’s fine.” It’s a deliberate act of grace that reflects the mercy God has shown us.

When Joseph stood before the very brothers who sold him into slavery, he had every reason to harbor resentment. Yet his words in Genesis 50:20 revealed a heart transformed: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph didn’t excuse their sin, but he released it into God’s hands. 

Real forgiveness doesn’t deny the pain, it acknowledges it, but refuses to let bitterness take root. Jesus set the highest standard when He hung on the cross and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those words weren’t just for the Roman soldiers; they echo for every sinner who nailed Him there. Forgiveness is costly, but it’s also freeing.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Real forgiveness isn’t measured by whether the other person deserves it. It flows from the well of grace that God has already poured into us.

Forgiving doesn’t always mean forgetting, nor does it mean trust is instantly restored. It does mean surrendering the right to revenge, letting God be the Judge. It’s choosing to release the weight of anger so that healing can begin. Sometimes, it’s a decision you’ll need to reaffirm daily.

Perhaps someone has wounded you deeply. The memory may still sting, but ask yourself: “If Christ has forgiven me so freely, how can I withhold forgiveness from another?” Real forgiveness is not weakness; its strength anchored in the cross. And when you extend it, you taste the peace of Christ Himself.

By: Justin Odom