Do I have to forgive others who hurt me?

Luke 17:3-4So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

Yes, we should be willing and ready to forgive those who hurt us. But forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring sin. Repentance and forgiveness involve confronting the pain and conflict someone’s sin brings to a relationship. Love can be tough.

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Just as God forgives us without limit, so we should forgive others without keeping track and counting their wrongs.

Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus even forgave those who mocked him and killed him. Most of the people who hurt us don’t think they have done anything wrong to us, which means that we, too, have almost certainly hurt people without knowing it. If we don’t forgive, we will become bitter. Among the soldiers and onlookers at the cross, we don’t see evidence of repentance; instead the people mocked Jesus. But Jesus forgave them anyway. We should follow his example.

Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

1 Peter 3:8-9Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

When people say hurtful things about us, God wants us to respond by blessing them. God offered us a forgiveness we could never earn. After being forgiven so much, how can we deny such forgiveness to others?