Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World

“You need to apologize! And you need to forgive!”

We’ve all looked into the eyes of unrepentant children and tried to teach the receiving and giving of forgiveness. Whether it’s stubbornness, confusion, pride, anger, or just plain selfishness—we know it’s hard to truly be sorry or let the issue go. We can sympathize.

And yet, if we are to love each other as Jesus commands us to (the second greatest command; see Matthew 22:39), we must embrace forgiveness. Being unforgiving leaves a wake of destruction, sometimes into the next generation. The easy way is to cancel, unfriend, and shut out. In the Military, we can even wait for orders and move away from the problem altogether. But the easy way is not the healthy way. And more importantly, it’s not Jesus’s way.

Jesus said: “Don't judge others, and God won't judge you. Don't be hard on others, and God won't be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you.”
Luke 6:37 (CEV)

As we work to teach our children forgiveness, we can show them how Jesus forgives. He is perfect and holy. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, giving us access to forgiveness. Remembering how undeserving we are of Jesus's forgiveness should make us humble and willing to forgive others. We probably can’t forgive others if we don’t recognize how much we need mercy ourselves. To be like Jesus, we must hold on to that compassion that sees beyond the sin in others.

We can teach our children to draw their strength from the Lord by praying with them for help to forgive. We can tell them stories of people’s journeys to forgiveness, like Louie Zamperini, Corrie ten Boom, and Elizabeth Elliot. We can gently remind them of their own faults that require mercy. We can model forgiveness when they hurt us by their immaturity, ignorance, stubbornness, or rebellion.

It’s a process for children to learn this, but it is a necessary journey in order to have a loving home.

PRAY

Oh, Lord, forgive me! I so easily get angry with my children when they harden their hearts, yet I am right there with them. Help me to remember how much you have forgiven me, and help me to do the same for my kids. Show us how to forgive. Teach us to truly love. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): How do you feel knowing that God has forgiven you of your wrongdoing? Have you experienced God’s help to forgive other people?

Apply: Talk about your experience.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Matthew 6:14

Ephesians 4:32