Have you ever caught yourself holding onto a grudge, even when you didn’t want to?
Maybe it was a harsh word someone said.
Maybe it was a betrayal you didn’t see coming.
Maybe it was a wound that still feels fresh, even after months—or years.

Forgiveness isn’t easy.
Everything inside of us wants to protect ourselves, to make the other person pay, to stay guarded.
But Jesus calls us to a different way—a way that frees us, heals us, and keeps us close to God’s heart.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says something that’s both challenging and life-changing:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

At first glance, that sounds a little unsettling. Was Jesus saying that we earn salvation by forgiving others? That God’s love is conditional?

Not quite.

Jesus wasn’t saying we’re saved by our ability to forgive—salvation is always a gift of grace.
But He was pointing to a deep truth about how forgiveness affects our relationship with God:
God will treat us the way we treat others.

If we show mercy, He pours out mercy.
If we refuse to forgive, we block the flow of His peace and freedom in our lives.

Why Forgiveness Matters

Forgiveness isn’t optional if we want to experience everything God has for us.
When we cling to bitterness, we don’t just damage relationships with people—we damage our own soul.

Unforgiveness builds walls.
It breeds resentment.
It chokes out joy.
And eventually, it creates distance between us and God.

Jesus knows that forgiveness isn’t just about setting others free—it’s about setting us free.

Forgive as God Forgave You

When it feels impossible to forgive, we need to remember:
God has already forgiven us a mountain of sin.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:13:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

God didn’t withhold mercy from us.
He didn’t tally up our failures and refuse to let them go.
Instead, He extended radical, undeserved forgiveness through the cross.

If He could forgive us at our worst, who are we to hold a grudge?

Choose Forgiveness—Quickly

Maybe right now there’s someone you’re struggling to forgive.
Someone who hurt you.
Someone who disappointed you.
Someone you can’t seem to stop thinking about.

Don’t wait.
Don’t let bitterness grow roots.

Choose to forgive immediately and completely—not because they deserve it, but because you’ve been forgiven so much.

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse what happened. It doesn’t erase the pain.
But it does release your heart to heal.

And when you forgive, you open yourself up to receive even more of God’s mercy, His grace, and His peace.

You want God on your side?
You want to walk in His blessing?
Then forgive as He forgave you.

Hope this encourages you today. God bless!