The Basis of Forgiving Fellow Christians: Finding Strength in the Cross

The Basis of Not Holding Grudges Against Fellow Christians

Have you ever been deeply hurt by a fellow Christian? Maybe they betrayed your trust, said hurtful words, or committed a terrible offense against you. In moments like these, it can be challenging to forgive and let go of the grudge we hold against them. After all, their actions may have caused us immense pain and suffering. A simple apology often feels insufficient compared to the magnitude of the offense.

But as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to forgive, even when it seems impossible. So, what is the basis for not holding grudges against our fellow Christians who repent? How can we find the strength to let go of our anger and extend grace and forgiveness?

In order to understand the basis for forgiveness, we must first recognize that our moral indignation does not disappear just because the offender is a Christian. In fact, we may feel even more betrayed because we expect better from those who share our faith. It can be tempting to desire justice and retribution for the pain we have endured.

However, as Christians, we are assured that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God has not destined us for wrath, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9). This means that the promise of God's wrath does not apply to our fellow believers who have repented. It may seem like they are getting away with their actions, but we must trust in God's ultimate justice.

So, where do we turn to find assurance that justice will be done? How do we reconcile the seriousness of sin with the forgiveness we are called to offer? The answer lies in the cross of Christ.

The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and love. It is where all the wrongs done against us by genuine believers were avenged. It is where the sins of God's people were laid upon Jesus, and he bore them in his body on the tree (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24). The suffering of Christ was the real punishment for every hurt we have ever received from a fellow Christian.

In light of this truth, Christianity does not make light of sin. It does not downplay the seriousness of our pain. On the contrary, it takes our hurt and suffering so seriously that God gave his own Son to suffer more than we could ever make anyone suffer for what they have done to us. The cross of Christ is a sufficient recompense for the sins of God's people.

When we hold a grudge against a fellow believer, we are essentially saying that the cross of Christ was not enough to pay for their sins. We are diminishing the power and efficacy of Christ's sacrifice. This is an insult to Christ and his cross, and it is not something we should entertain.

Forgiveness is not easy, especially when we have been deeply wounded. It requires a supernatural grace and a willingness to let go of our desire for justice. But when we remember the cross of Christ and the immense price that was paid for our own sins, it becomes easier to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him. Jesus responds, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." This is not to be taken literally, but rather as a call to limitless forgiveness. Just as we have been forgiven by God, we are called to forgive others.

When we choose to forgive, we are not excusing the actions of our fellow believers. We are not pretending that the offense never happened or that it didn't hurt. Instead, we are acknowledging the depth of our own sin and the grace that has been extended to us. We are choosing to imitate Christ and extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.

In Ephesians 4:32, Paul instructs us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Our forgiveness is rooted in the forgiveness we have received from God. We are called to be imitators of Christ, extending grace and forgiveness to others just as he has done for us.

In conclusion, the basis for not holding grudges against our fellow Christians who repent lies in the cross of Christ. The suffering and death of Jesus was the ultimate recompense for the sins of God's people, including the wrongs done against us by fellow believers. When we hold onto a grudge, we diminish the power of the cross and insult the sacrifice of Christ. Instead, let us choose to imitate Christ and extend grace and forgiveness to others, just as we have received from him.