Forgiveness That Frees

Erin Long
1 hour ago
2 min read

“Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”

That might make you laugh a little (because who would drink rat poison and expect that outcome?!), but it’s something we’re all guilty of. Holding on to bitterness doesn’t destroy the one who hurt us, it destroys us from the inside out. This weekend, Pastor Adam reminded us that forgiveness is not just a moral duty but the very path to life and freedom in Christ.

The Call to Forgive

Colossians 3:13, “Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Matthew 6:12, 14-15, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors… For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.”

Scripture is clear about our call as believers to forgive those who hurt us. Forgiveness is something we’re all invited into. It doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen, and it doesn’t mean the other person was right. Forgiveness is choosing to let go so the pain doesn’t keep weighing us down. When we hold grudges, we’re the ones who end up carrying the heavy load. Forgiving releases us from it. Forgiven people forgive people.

The Cost to Forgive

Let’s be honest. Forgiveness isn’t easy. It always costs something. To forgive means choosing not to get even, even when we feel like we have every right to. But that’s where the power comes in. Pastor Adam reminded us that Jesus showed us the ultimate picture of forgiveness. He carried the weight of our mistakes and let it stop with Him. When we forgive, we follow that same example. It’s costly, but it leads to real peace.

A Culture of Forgiveness

Now imagine being part of a community where people don’t hold grudges, where people give each other the benefit of the doubt, and where grace is the first response instead of the last resort. That’s the kind of culture Pastor Adam challenged us to build. When forgiveness becomes normal, bitterness loses its grip and love has room to grow.

Forgiveness doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t mean the pain didn’t matter. But it does mean the pain no longer gets to control us. Choosing to forgive is choosing freedom. This week, let’s ask ourselves: where am I drinking the poison of unforgiveness, and what would it look like to finally set it down?

How to Forgive:

1. Be honest about the damage.

2. Release the debt to God.

3. Pray for the person.

4. Remember your own forgiveness.

"Father, I entrust __________ (offender’s name) to you, as well as my pain. With your help, I now speak forgiveness over the one who hurt me: __________ (offender’s name), today I choose to forgive you for _____________. I release you from my judgments and expectations and I choose to walk in the freedom of Christ.”