Forgive As You’ve Been Forgiven
- Eric Whittle
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
Living out our faith isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to forgiveness. It’s one thing to talk about grace and mercy on Sundays but it’s another to actually offer it to someone who hurt you, disappointed you, or let you down.
But Scripture doesn’t leave much room for debate. Colossians 3:13 tells us, “Bear with one another, and forgive one another if anyone has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” That last part hits hard: “as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgiveness is one of the clearest pictures of faith in action. It requires humility, love, patience, and trust, trust that God will handle justice, trust that healing can happen, and trust that grace really is greater than sin.
And here’s the truth: our kids are watching how we handle it. They’re learning whether forgiveness is just a word we say or a lifestyle we live. That’s why it’s so important for us to model grace, not just talk about it. In our homes, our marriages, our friendships, and even in how we respond to others in the church, forgiveness shows the heart of Jesus.
As we continue preparing our kids through programs like Lads to Leaders, we want them to be bold in faith, but also gentle in spirit. We want them to be able to lead, but also to love. And nothing demonstrates that love more than a heart willing to forgive.
So if you’ve been holding on to something, maybe this week is the time to let it go. Not just for their sake… but for yours.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And always remember—you are loved.
Eric
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