Jesus forgives when it's hard... so we forgive when it's hard

Hello, Bridge Family. I hope you’re well. This week’s message follows last week’s, which discussed the challenge of loving others, especially the unlovable. Here, we learn that living in Christ’s light involves forgiving others, regardless of their actions. While forgiving can seem impossible, we all understand hurt. Yet, nothing compares to what Jesus endured when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34 NLT),” highlighting that our offenses are minor compared to His sacrifice.  
 Forgiveness is essential for building a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father. Christ highlights this in Matthew 6: ‘If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins’ (Matt 6:14-15 NLT). Therefore, we are called to forgive just as we have been forgiven. It’s common to think, ‘but you don’t understand what so-and-so did,’ and while that might be acceptable in worldly disputes, it falls short in a heavenly context. 
 Teaching forgiveness begins with the gospel. The Heidelberg Catechism explains that, because of Christ’s satisfaction, God no longer remembers our sins or sinful nature, which we struggle against throughout life. Instead, by grace, God grants us Christ’s righteousness, preventing judgment. Our Father shows forgiveness through Christ’s work on the cross. 
 Now that we have established the root for our forgiveness, we must model it for our children. Here are three points from the answer above to guide us as we guide our families.  
 
1. We forgive because of Christ. Since he has forgiven us, we are called to forgive others. Forgiveness alone doesn’t get anyone into heaven; being forgiven through faith in Christ does. 
  
2. Forgiveness should be forgetful. When we stand before God, He is not going to say, “Remember when you did that?” As parents, we sometimes dwell on the past with our children. In doing so, we have to ask ourselves, if we keep bringing something up, have we really forgiven? If you have ever experienced that, as I have, then it certainly doesn’t seem like true forgiveness.  
 
3. Grace defines true forgiveness. In forgiveness, there are no strings attached, no demands. Whether someone ever acknowledges that they have wronged us, we are to forgive them. Remember, it is by God’s grace that we have been granted Christ’s righteousness. 
 
Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday. 
 
Pastor Bob