Summary: I just saw a quote that said, “The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.” Forgiving others can be really hard. Especially when they have wronged us on a deep level. But it’s pretty clear that forgiveness isn’t just about the person who committed the sin or the wrong against us, but it’s also about our own spiritual growth. Love and forgiveness cannot be separated. If we choose to live out the love of God as the purpose of our life, then forgiving cannot be avoided. Because the bottom line is, Jesus died for us to offer us forgiveness of our sins. On a day-to-day level, the Bible says in Matthew 6, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” So, consider: whom do you need to forgive? What amends do you need to make? I encourage you to take that first leap and forgive the one who needs it—even if no apology has been made. When you forgive someone, you may feel that the Lord has moved in you, just as we pray He is also moving in them. Showing grace, instead of holding onto bitterness, will give you a wonderful opportunity to talk to them about Jesus – the great forgiver of our many, many sins. This is Luis Palau.
