Forgive Even as You'd Want to be Forgiven
Share
Why is forgiveness so hard for us as a people?
When you’ve been burned by someone you thought was your friend, a loved one, someone you deeply cared for - the pain feels like betrayal. It hits differently. It feels personal.
It’s that sinking feeling of, “Dang… how could they do that to me?”
It feels like a setback. It leaves you sour. It shifts something internally - almost like a collapse of belief in that person. You start questioning everything.
Why me? Why would they do this?
But did you know that Jesus was betrayed too?
He was betrayed by one of His own disciples - Judas Iscariot.
And unlike us, Jesus saw it coming.
He knew who would betray Him. Yet He still treated Judas with love, patience, and kindness. Even when He said, “One of you will betray Me,” He did not publicly expose him. He did not humiliate him. He simply told him to do what he had to do - and to do it quickly.
That kind of composure is beyond human pride.
In our lives, we often treat people the way we would want to be treated. But when that same treatment isn’t returned, it wounds us. Sometimes it’s our pride that hurts. Sometimes it’s our ego. Sometimes it’s our sense of worth.
We feel humiliated. Diminished. Questioned.
But here’s the hard truth:
We are still called to forgive.
Jesus told us to forgive not just seven times - but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21–22). That wasn’t about math. That was about posture. Forgiveness is not meant to be counted or rationed.
It’s meant to be lived.
We are called to forgive our enemies. To pray for those who persecute us. To love those who wound us.
I know what you’re thinking - that feels like a stretch.
But consider this: as sinners, we desire forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. So, how can we expect Him to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others?
Forgiveness is not just for them.
It’s for you.
Without forgiveness, bitterness creeps in. Anger settles. Resentment slowly eats away at your peace.
The Lord calls us to radical and unlimited forgiveness. Not because people deserve it - but because we have received it.
And keep in mind: vengeance belongs to the Lord.
He sees every offense. He knows every injustice. Judgment is His responsibility - not ours.
So if you’ve been hurt, don’t let bitterness take root. Bring it to Him. Ask Him to soften your heart. Ask Him to incline your heart toward Him. Ask Him to help you forgive - to truly forgive - whether the wound is from the past or the present.
And trust that He will strengthen you so that if you are hurt again, you will forgive more quickly next time.
Pray for your enemies. Show love to those who persecute you.
It is for your freedom more than it is for their relief.
Let Us Pray
Dear Lord,
I pray over the person reading this right now. May You give them peace beyond understanding. You are our Rock and our firm foundation. With You, we cannot be shaken.
Father, soften their heart. Help them release what they’ve been holding onto. Remind them that vengeance is Yours alone. Teach them to forgive as You have forgiven them.
May they extend love, kindness, and patience - just as Jesus has shown us time and time again.
Thank You for hearing us. Thank You for being near.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen and amen.
Scripture
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:21–22
“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”