The forgiveness of sins is a very important concept for Christians. It is one of the most important things that we can ask for from God.
We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
This means that we are not perfect and there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
When we repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness, God forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
This is a wonderful gift that we have been given, but it is also something that we need to be careful with.
Forgiveness is not a free pass to keep on sinning. When we are forgiven, it should lead us to change our ways and live according to God’s will (Acts 26:20).
Ten reasons why forgiveness is important:
1. Forgiveness is a command from God.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
2. Unforgiveness will hinder our prayers.
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25
3. Unforgiveness will lead to bitterness.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…” – Hebrews 12:15
4. Unforgiveness will prevent us from being forgiven.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15
5. Unforgiveness will result in judgment.
“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” – Luke 12:57-59
6. Unforgiveness gives Satan a foothold.
“In your anger do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, nor give place to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26-27
7. Unforgiveness will quench the Spirit.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:30-32
8. Unforgiveness will cause division in the body of Christ.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – Philippians 2:1-16
9. Unforgiveness gives the enemy a legal right to judge us.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15
10. Unforgiveness will keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:14-17
