What happens when we do not forgive?

In recent times I have had the difficult but fulfilling duty to address an issue that many suffer with but only a few really seem to understand. That issue is unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness in the world is very common, so much so many movies and books carry that theme in them in some way or another. It is so common that most people never question it and accept it as a way of life. It’s just something you do right, after all everyone does it don’t they. Even those who say they forgive or have forgiven everyone in their lives are often misled by that belief. If you get them to talk oftentimes there is something they still hold against somebody whether it is past or present.

For a Christian above all unforgiveness is a sin. If we do not forgive our brother or sister we break these very aspects of what it means to have the salvation we do in Jesus Christ.

There are over 40 scriptures in the bible that identify unforgiveness as a detriment to the Christian. Most of them show that God commands you to forgive as part of your commitment to Him.

In Matthew 18:21-35 is Jesus’s parable of the wicked servant who owed a king much but could not pay. The king had mercy on him and forgave his large debt and set him free. Upon being set free the servant went to another servant who owed him a smaller amount and asked that he pay him. When that servant refused he had him thrown in jail. The other servants saw this and went to the king.

When the king had heard this he was very angry with the servant and threw him in jail and had him tortured until he could pay back all he owed.

Jesus closed the parable with the following statement: 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

God will not let the sin of unforgiveness go unpunished even in His children.

When we say we forgive our brother or sister it is of deep commitment that we should do so and continually forgive. Satan will always try to pry into your relationships or your heart to still up anger and unforgiveness. We have to make every effort to forgive others as the bible shows us.

The reasoning is clear: In Christ we are forgiven of our sins. Our debt was paid for by Him on the cross. Our belief in Him puts us in the state where we acknowledge and obey Him with our actions.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

We must forgive as he has forgiven us. We ourselves cannot pay the debt we owe ourselves and in gratitude for his sacrifice we should also forgive. Do not let this separate you from your Savior and our Heavenly Father.

Your Brother in Christ,

Steve Koenig

Lakeshore Fellowship