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"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 Forgiveness Is Foundational to Christian Faith Forgiveness is not just an option in the Christian walk—it is foundational to the very gospel of Christ. In His great mercy, God forgave us not because we deserved it, but because His love compelled Him to. As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror this same love to others, extending grace even when it is undeserved. Example: Sarah, a young woman, struggled with the deep wound of her father’s abandonment. For years, she carried the weight of bitterness and depression, unable to find peace. Yet, when Sarah made the conscious decision to forgive him, even though he never apologized, something remarkable happened. She described it as, "It felt like chains had fallen off my chest." That moment of obedience to God’s command brought a freedom she hadn’t known was possible. Forgiveness is not about the offender; it’s about obedience to God’s will. When we forgive, we align our hearts with the heart of Christ. Forgiveness Is a Test of Our Submission Forgiveness is not merely an emotional response; it is a deliberate decision of the will. God does not ask us to forgive based on how we feel, but as an act of submission to His authority. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing or minimizing the offense. Rather, it’s about choosing to surrender our hurt and pain to God, trusting that His will, even in the midst of suffering, is good. Biblical Example: Joseph, in Genesis 50, stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of forgiveness. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph had every reason to harbour resentment. Yet, when he finally encountered his brothers after years of suffering, he said, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” Joseph understood that forgiveness required a divine perspective—one that trusted God's ability to redeem pain and use it for His greater purpose. He chose forgiveness not because it was easy, but because he had surrendered to God's plan over his own emotions. Forgiveness Releases God’s Power Unforgiveness is not just an emotional or relational issue—it is a spiritual blockage. It can hinder the flow of answers to our prayers, harden our hearts, and even affect our physical health. However, when we choose to forgive, we open the doors for God’s power to move in our lives, bringing grace, peace, and healing. Testimony: There was a man in Kireka who came to the altar during a healing service. He had been suffering from back pain for years, and no amount of medicine or treatment seemed to bring relief. However, after counselling and prayer, he confessed that he harboured deep hatred toward his former business partner. As he chose to forgive and bless the person who had wronged him, something extraordinary happened. Peace flooded his heart, and within days, his chronic back pain vanished—pain that had plagued him for years. His physical healing was the direct result of the spiritual healing that forgiveness brought into his life. Forgiveness: A Command, not a Choice Forgiveness is not optional. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:14–15 make it clear: forgiveness is a command. Our ability to forgive others is directly tied to our own forgiveness from God. When we forgive, we break the chains of bitterness, free our hearts, and open ourselves to God’s blessings. Forgiveness is not just a moral or emotional decision; it is a spiritual act of obedience that positions us to receive God’s grace in greater measure. And when we forgive, we release God’s power to heal, restore, and transform not only our relationships but also our bodies, minds, and spirits.