The Freedom to Forgive

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the story of a servant who was forgiven an enormous, unpayable debt, yet refused to forgive someone who owed him a much smaller amount. The message is clear: we have been forgiven far more by God than anyone could ever owe us. When we hold onto offenses, we lose sight of the grace we have received. Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt did not happen; it means choosing to release the person because Christ has already released us.

This truth becomes even clearer at the cross. In the midst of pain, injustice, and rejection, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He did not wait for an apology or acknowledgment. He forgave freely. This shows us that forgiveness is not dependent on the other person, it is a choice rooted in the love of God within us. Often, we wait for people to understand or say sorry before we forgive, but Jesus calls us to forgive even when they don’t. In doing so, we are not excusing wrong; we are freeing ourselves from the weight of bitterness and placing the situation in God’s hands.

Forgiveness, then, is not a one-time act but a daily posture of the heart. It is not always easy, but it is the pathway to freedom, healing, and true Christ-like love. As we continue in this journey of loving like Jesus, may we choose uncalculated love—learning to forgive freely, fully, and continually, just as we have been forgiven.

Stephen Kokole
Volunteer~Growth Team
Uganda/South Sudan