Living in a sin-cursed world means that we are often the victims of other people’s sin. When someone commits an injustice against us, we usually feel a sense of righteous anger. A wrong has been committed, and it needs to be made right. But how we go about making it right makes a big difference.

Our natural response when wronged is to convict and punish the perpetrator for their crime. Some form of chastisement is employed, being verbal or physical, direct or indirect, or passive or active. For example, we may sentence the criminal to reputation destruction, social isolation, or even physical pain. Our toolbox of potential punishments is well stocked. While these responses may be natural, they are not Biblical.

There is only one right response when you have been wronged: forgiveness. Forgiveness is a central tenet of the Christian life. The gospel is the message of God’s forgiveness made possible through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. God commands those who have received His forgiveness to offer the same kind of forgiveness to others.

Forgiveness of others is not just a noble goal; it is an absolute necessity. Jesus went so far as to say, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” It is sobering to realize that our relationship with God is affected by our relationship with others. Just as God has forgiven you in Christ, we must freely forgive others, not for their sake, but for Christ’s sake.