The Art of Forgiveness: How to Forgive Like Jesus and Find True Freedom
Sarah sat alone in the quiet of her living room, staring at a message from an old friend—the one who had betrayed her trust years ago. Her heart pounded as she read the simple words: I’m sorry. She had long prayed for peace, but now that the moment had arrived, she felt anything but ready. Could she really forgive? Did she even want to?
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we are called to do as followers of Jesus. It’s easy to hold on to resentment, replaying the hurt over and over. In our last blog, Breaking Free: How Jesus Can Help You Let Go of Resentment and Find True Freedom, we explored how bitterness weighs us down. Now, we take another step forward—learning what it truly means to forgive like Jesus. Because forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of anger; it’s about embracing the grace that God has so freely given to us.
What It Means to Forgive Like Jesus
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A man owed his king an enormous debt—so large he could never repay it. Out of compassion, the king forgave the entire amount. But that same man turned around and refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him only a small sum. When the king found out, he was furious. “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:33, NIV).
This story is a powerful reminder that God’s mercy toward us is limitless, and He calls us to extend that same mercy to others. Forgiving like Jesus doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened or excusing wrongdoing. Instead, it means choosing grace over vengeance, love over bitterness.
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of forgiveness on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, NIV). If Jesus could extend forgiveness even in His suffering, how much more should we, as His followers, strive to do the same?
The Power of Letting Go
Many people hesitate to forgive because they believe it means minimizing their pain. But forgiveness isn’t about saying the hurt didn’t matter—it’s about refusing to let that hurt control your heart. When we withhold forgiveness, we become prisoners of our own resentment. But when we release others from the debt they owe us, we free ourselves as well.
Mark 11:25 tells us, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (NIV). God ties our ability to receive forgiveness to our willingness to extend it. He knows that an unforgiving heart is a burdened heart, weighed down by anger and pain.
Releasing resentment doesn’t always happen overnight. It’s a process—sometimes a daily decision—to surrender our pain to God. But when we do, He meets us with healing and peace.
Steps to Forgive Like Jesus
If forgiving someone feels impossible, take heart—Jesus never asks us to do it alone. Here are some steps to help you walk the path of forgiveness:
Acknowledge the Hurt
Forgiveness isn’t denial. Be honest with God about how you feel. Let Him into your pain so He can begin to heal it.
Recognize God’s Forgiveness for You
Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV). When we grasp the depth of God’s grace toward us, it becomes easier to extend that grace to others.
Pray for the Person Who Hurt You
Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, NIV). Prayer softens our hearts, making room for God’s love where bitterness once lived.
Let Go of the Need for Revenge
Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.” (NIV). Trust that justice is in God’s hands. Your job is to release the burden, not carry it.
Repeat the Process as Needed
Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. When old wounds resurface, remind yourself that you’ve chosen freedom over bitterness. Forgive again, and again if needed.
The Gift of Freedom
Forgiving like Jesus isn’t just about obedience—it’s about transformation. It changes our hearts, restores relationships, and draws us closer to God. Most importantly, it allows us to experience the true freedom that comes from walking in His grace.
If you’re struggling to forgive, take a moment to pray. Ask God for the strength to release the pain, the wisdom to set healthy boundaries, and the heart to love even when it’s hard. You don’t have to do this alone.
If this message spoke to you, I encourage you to subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter. You’ll receive encouragement and resources to help you grow in your faith and walk in the freedom of forgiveness. Let’s continue this journey together!
Instructions: Below are Bible verses about forgiveness with missing words. Try to fill in the blanks from memory or look up the scriptures in your Bible to complete them correctly.
1️⃣ Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
"Be kind and _______ to one another, _______ each other, just as in Christ God _______ you."
2️⃣ Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
"For if you _______ other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also _______ you."
3️⃣ Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
"Bear with each other and _______ one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. _______ as the Lord forgave you."
💡 Reflection: Take a moment to meditate on these verses. How does God’s forgiveness inspire you to forgive others? Write down one action step you can take today to show grace and mercy.
In a world where hurt and betrayal seem inevitable, Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall offers a powerful, life-changing message on what it truly means to forgive like Jesus. I previously shared a summary review of this incredible book, but it’s worth mentioning again because its wisdom aligns perfectly with our recent discussion on The Art of Forgiveness: Learning to Forgive Like Jesus. Kendall challenges readers to release bitterness, let go of grudges, and embrace the freedom that comes with true, unconditional forgiveness. He reminds us that forgiving isn’t about excusing wrongdoing—it’s about trusting God to heal our wounds while we choose grace over resentment.
One of the most profound takeaways from this book is Kendall’s insistence that forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision. It’s an act of obedience that liberates us from the chains of unforgiveness, just as Jesus taught in the parable of the unforgiving servant. If you’ve struggled to forgive, this book will guide you step by step toward experiencing the peace and joy that comes from surrendering your pain to God.
Ready to embrace total forgiveness? Grab your copy of Total Forgiveness today and subscribe to The EXCEL2FAITH newsletter for more spiritual insights and encouragement!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the boundless mercy and forgiveness You have shown us through Jesus. Teach us to extend that same grace to others, releasing the burdens of resentment and embracing the freedom that comes with true forgiveness. Soften our hearts, Lord, and fill us with Your love so that we may reflect Your kindness even when it feels difficult. Draw us closer to You each day, shaping us to forgive as You forgive, and to love as You love.
Amen.
If you want to make a change in your life and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or if you have drifted away and want to recommit your life to Him, read this prayer out loud and make it your own:
Dear Jesus, I come before You with an open heart, ready to turn away from my past and step into the new life You offer. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again, conquering death so that I could be free. I ask for Your forgiveness, and I surrender my life completely to You—be my Lord, my Savior, and my guide. Fill me with Your love, transform my heart, and help me walk in faith, forgiveness, and grace from this day forward. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, I want to celebrate this incredible step of faith with you! Please email me at excel2faith@gmail.com, so I can send you resources to help you grow in your relationship with Christ. You are not alone on this journey—welcome to the family of God! Keep seeking Him, and He will guide you every step of the way.