Forgiveness is not optional for the child of God.  As Christians, we are commanded to forgive those who sin against us, even as God has forgiven us.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
³²  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

So far as the health of a local church is concerned, not to mention the salvation of the individual soul, the subject of forgiveness is one of the most important ones we can consider.  This is because the church is made up of flawed people.  Sometimes the flesh gets the best of us and we sin against one another.  We have all done it.  It might involve a misspoken word, or it might be a hostile act committed when we allow anger to get the best of us, but we have all done it.  We have all sinned against a brother or sister in Christ at some point.

When the spirit of forgiveness does not prevail, local churches become havens of hostility rather than places of comfort and joy where love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).  This leads not only to the loss of souls, but it thwarts the cause of Christ as well.  Being willing to forgive, then, is an essential part of being successful, both individually and congregationally.

One of the words for forgiveness is the Greek word aphiēmi.  This word primarily means, “to send away, yield up, lay aside, let alone,” etc.  This is what forgiveness is, or we might say what it does.  When you forgive, you intellectually lay aside the sin that was committed against you, along with any resentment, anger, or bitterness toward the one who has committed the offense.  This word involves the ability, or more accurately, the willingness to move on.

When a brother or sister in Christ offends you in some way, or even blatantly sins against you, if that person repents of the sin committed (Luke 17:3), do you continue to hold a grudge?  Remember, forgiving is not optional, it is a divine directive.  If we fail to obey the command to forgive others, we will not be forgiven for our own sins.

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Jesus was very clear about this.  We must forgive!  God demands forgiveness because He knows how devastating it is not to do so.  Holding grudges is not good for anyone, and especially not for the one who is harboring ill-feelings in his heart.  One cannot be a Christian and be filled with bitterness at the same time.

Hebrews 12:15 (ESV)
¹⁵  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Strong local churches are filled with members who are willing to forgive one another.  To forgive is not only pleasing to God, but it also allows love and kindness to continue to flow through the veins of the local churches, stopping the devil from pulling off a successful takeover.  Do you want God to forgive you when you repent of your sins?  If so, you must be willing to forgive others.  ­  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.