Forgiveness and Justice
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks justice. Holding on to unforgiveness is a curse—it burdens our hearts, blocks the flow of God’s grace, and places us among those whom God must discipline. Yet it is an expression of His mercy that He waits and speaks gently at first, patiently enduring to see if His children will release the unforgiveness they hold toward others. This is why forgiving and entrusting God is so important—not only for our own hearts, but because it allows God to act in His justice without us needing to take matters into our own hands. In this way, we also experience freedom. That is another powerful side of the Gospel.
Bitterness is hard to overcome. Yet there is a simple way forward: ask God for help. We do not have to eliminate our feelings before we forgive. Instead, we only need to decide to ask God to help us forgive others—or even ourselves—truly and sincerely. Then He will provide grace and guide us into a new perspective—not to erase the pain of the past, but to overcome it with a renewed heart. The burden of bitterness and the curse of unforgiveness can be lifted quickly.
Once His children decide to forgive and entrust God with how to deal with those who have sinned against them, God begins to work out His justice. At the same time, healing also takes place.
In truth, when God’s children become prideful and consumed with their own thoughts, they drift away from quiet stillness and enter a place of noise. Gradually, they lose the ability to recognize God’s gentle voice clearly. That is why He has to discipline them—to “speak louder” and draw their attention back to Him. And it is His love to remind His children not to stay in the curse.
Version with scripture reference:
(To be honest, I wanted to quote the entire Bible)
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks justice. Holding on to unforgiveness is a curse—it burdens our hearts, blocks the flow of God’s grace, and places us among those whom God must discipline (Malachi 2:17, 3:13-18, Hebrews 12:5-13). Yet it is an expression of His mercy that He waits and speaks gently at first, patiently enduring to see if His children will release the unforgiveness they hold toward others (Psalm 145:8-9). This is why forgiving and entrusting God is so important—not only for our own hearts, but because it allows God to act in His justice without us needing to take matters into our own hands (Isaiah 51:22-23; Romans 12:19-21). In this way, we also experience freedom (John 8:34-36). That is another powerful side of the Gospel.
Bitterness is hard to overcome. Yet there is a simple way forward: ask God for help. We do not have to eliminate our feelings before we forgive. Instead, we only need to decide to ask God to help us forgive others—or even ourselves—truly and sincerely (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Luke 17:1-10; Hosea 14:4-9). Then He will provide grace and guide us into a new perspective—not to erase the pain of the past, but to overcome it with a renewed heart. The burden of bitterness and the curse of unforgiveness can be lifted quickly (Matthew 11:28-30).
Once His children decide to forgive and entrust God with how to deal with those who have sinned against them, God begins to work out His justice (Romans 12:19-21, Matthew 18:32-34). At the same time, healing also takes place (Hosea 14:4-9, Jeremiah 31:18-20).
In truth, when God’s children become prideful and consumed with their own thoughts, they drift away from quiet stillness and enter a place of noise. Gradually, they lose the ability to recognize God’s gentle voice clearly. That is why He has to discipline them—to “speak louder” and draw their attention back to Him (Hebrews 12:5-13). And it is His love to remind His children not to stay in the curse.