Forgiveness is taught in the Bible, but many do not know what it really means to forgive. In Hebrews 8:12, we are taught what it means to forgive. The scripture states, I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. In order for us to forgive, we must truly be merciful and no longer remember the transgression that we received from another.
This is further exemplified in Proverbs 17:9, He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. If we are to truly forgive we are to let it go. Forgiveness returns us to a state of being as if the wrong had never been done. We are human, mortal and sinful. It is not easy for us to forgive as God and His Son Jesus can forgive, but we are to always try to love one another as our Father loves us.
If we can not forgive our brothers and sisters, how are we to be forgiven ourselves? In Matthew 6:14 Jesus says, For if you forgive people their trespasses, their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. There are those out there who will say, This does not say I will not be forgiven. However in Matthew 18:35 we are instructed, So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses. Then again in the gospel of Mark 11:25, Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it go in order that your Father who is in heaven, may also forgive you your failings and shortcomings and let them go.
We are to forgive, but are we ever truly taught what forgiveness means. I have counseled many married couples and heard but I forgave him/her for this thing, whether it be infidelity or lying, etc, but they have never let it go. It remains the source of anger and tension in a relationship. I have seen parents tell children to forgive another child, but never teach them that forgiveness goes beyond saying the words. In order to forgive, we must let it go as though it never happened. Our Father and His Son Jesus forgive us in this manner and have instructed us to do the same. It is not easy but if we let love guide our hearts and not a hardened heart, we will become closer to God.