Why Forgive?

by Kay Heitsch

Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. We do it for ourselves to get well and move on. ~ Forgive Each Other Quotes ~

When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, we open ourselves to hateful feelings. If we want to get well and move on, forgiveness is necessary.

Today I heard a message on forgiveness taken from Matthew 18 about the man who was forgiven much but refused to forgive a person who owed him a little.

What happens when we refuse to forgive? We open ourselves up to be tormented by our own thoughts and feelings. We feel bitter, rage, and anger towards the people who hurt us.

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 ESV

The remedy to these hateful thoughts and feelings is to forgive. It shouldn't be hard to forgive other people when we remember how much God in Christ has forgiven us. So why open ourselves up for torment!

Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. We do it for ourselves to get well and move on.