What Is Forgiving?

Forgiving is a challenge in itself, especially when people do not feel there is justification for the wrongdoing. The ability to forgive is to forget about the harm afflicted by the active person. Forgiving is an act of obedience to God’s will, but how long does it take to achieve this? People may question the difficulty of the task. Forgiving can also seem like a battle between winning and losing. For instance, in this case scenario, if the mother decides to forgive her husband, she will feel defeated. There should be consequences and no remorse for his actions. In addition, the children are hurting from the pain of disloyalty. How can they forgive his actions according to Jesus and the Kingdom?

Another challenge in this case scenario involves overcoming betrayal. The father is led by temptation to involve himself with another person, thus, betraying the vowels taken in marriage to his wife. Furthermore, he has also betrayed his children. The father, once a role model, is now a person capable of breaking a commandment forbidden by God. Not only

He also warned about the consequences of sin and the judgement of men if they do forgive. An example of this can be found in the parable of the unforgiving servant, (Matthew 18:21-35). The forgiven servant who did not show mercy to another, received judgement. The ability to forgive also releases one from judgement. In the scripture, Luke 6:37-38, it reads, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 1841). For all of these reasons, Jesus has taught his followers to be merciful, without judgment. Forgive others, in turn, you will be forgiven in the