“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
It is easy to shout “Amen” when the pastor preaches on God’s love. It is much harder to say “Amen” when the sermon is about forgiving the person who betrayed you.
Whether it is a spouse who walked away, a business partner who stole from you, or a friend who gossiped about you, the wound is real. Your natural instinct is to build a wall to protect yourself. But Jesus calls us to be Bridge Builders.
At Christian Bridge, we know that unhealed hurts are the #1 reason believers get stuck in their spiritual growth. Here is why you need to drop the stone you are carrying.
1. The Myth: “Forgiveness Means What They Did Was Okay”
This is the biggest lie. Forgiveness does not mean minimizing the sin. It doesn’t mean saying, “It’s no big deal.” It was a big deal. It was wrong. It hurt. Biblical forgiveness is simply saying: “I am taking this person off my hook and putting them onto God’s hook.” You are resigning as their judge and letting God handle the justice.
2. Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation (They Are Different)
Many people refuse to forgive because they think they have to become best friends with their abuser again.
- Forgiveness takes one person (you). It is unconditional.
- Reconciliation takes two people. It requires the other person to repent and rebuild trust. You can forgive someone and still have healthy boundaries. You can forgive a thief without lending him money again.
3. The “Drinking Poison” Principle
Nelson Mandela famously said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” When you hold a grudge, you aren’t hurting them. They are probably sleeping just fine. You are the one losing sleep. You are the one with the ulcer. You are the one whose prayers feel blocked. Forgiveness is not a favor you do for them; it is a gift you give yourself. It sets you free.
4. The Ultimate Bridge
We are called “Christians” (Little Christs). Jesus built the ultimate bridge—the Cross—to connect sinful man to a Holy God. He forgave us while we were still His enemies. If we claim to follow Him, we cannot burn the bridge of forgiveness that we ourselves need to cross every day.
Conclusion
Is there a name that makes your stomach tighten when you hear it? That is the name you need to bring to the altar today.
