In this episode of the Weekday Podcast, Pastor Bobby focuses on the importance of forgiveness, drawing from Ephesians 4:32 and the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. He emphasizes that forgiveness is challenging but necessary, freeing us from bitterness and trusting God's justice. Forgiveness is described as both a decision and a process, often requiring repeated efforts to release pain and heal. Listeners are encouraged to identify someone they need to forgive, pray for them, and entrust the situation to God.
Well, hey friends, welcome back to another edition of the Weekday Podcast. Today, I'm super excited about talking about this one idea that we need to let it go.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also forgave you." And one of the things I'm certainly convinced of is that forgiveness is not easy, but it's super necessary. And while it doesn't change the past, it can change your future. Holding on to unforgiveness is like carrying around a bag of rotten garbage. It only hurts us. It only pollutes us and the relationships around us.
Now, forgiveness doesn't mean excusing or approving someone's hurtful behavior. It means releasing our right to get even and trusting that God's going to handle the situation the best way possible. When we refuse to forgive, we're essentially drinking poison and hoping the other person will be hurt by it. And it just doesn't work.
One of the parables of Jesus that Jesus told in Matthew 18:21-35 is about the unforgiving servant. He was forgiven of an impossible debt, millions of dollars in today's currency, yet he refused to forgive someone who owed him just a few dollars. The contrast is stark. Yet how often do we do the same thing? We've been forgiven of this eternal debt by God, and yet we struggle to forgive relatively minor offenses done against us.
Now, forgiveness is both a decision and a process. The decision to forgive can be made in a moment, but the emotional process of forgiving, that often takes time. It's normal to have to repeatedly release that hurt to God. Sometimes the memories or the pain resurface, and we need to choose forgiveness again. It doesn't mean we failed the first time. It's part of the healing process.
So today I want to remind you, forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation. It doesn't mean restoration of trust. Those things require repentance and a changed behavior from the other person. Forgiveness is about freeing ourselves from the burden of bitterness and trusting God to bring justice in his time. So maybe today you need to identify one person you need to forgive, acknowledge the hurt they cause, pray for them, and then consciously release that situation to God. Because forgiveness, it's a process and you may need to repeat the steps multiple times.
Have a great day. We'll see you back here soon.
