The Role of Forgiveness in Spiritual Freedom

When you understand forgiveness the way Jesus modeled it, it changes everything. I can’t overstate this: forgiveness is not just a Christian practice—it’s the key to spiritual freedom. The Bible isn’t telling us to forgive just to keep us morally in line. It’s because unforgiveness will enslave us, keep us in bondage, and prevent us from living fully in the freedom Jesus purchased through His blood.

Jesus wasn’t on the cross saying, “Father, strike them down for what they did to Me.” He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Think about that! They mocked Him, spit on Him, tortured Him—and yet, He didn’t let offense find a home in His heart. Why? Because He saw through the eyes of love. He saw beyond what they were doing and into their need for redemption.

That’s what forgiveness is: it’s seeing people for who they are in God’s heart, not for what they’ve done. If we only respond to people based on their mistakes and actions, we’ll stay in bitterness. But Jesus teaches us to forgive from the heart (Matthew 18:35), not as an obligation, but as a release—a release for them and for us.

Unforgiveness: The Trap of the Enemy

The enemy’s strategy is to keep us bound in offense, anger, and resentment. If he can get us there, he knows we won’t be free to live out our identity in Christ. Think about it—when you hold on to a grudge, whose heart does it affect most? It’s yours. Bitterness takes root in you. Hebrews 12:15 warns us not to let a root of bitterness grow, because it will trouble and defile us. That means bitterness isn't just an issue of the mind; it poisons your spirit and drags you down, keeping you from walking in the joy and peace God intends.

Jesus came to set us free. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” So why would we stay bound to something like unforgiveness? Every time we refuse to forgive, we chain ourselves to the pain of the past. We become prisoners to the very thing God wants to free us from.

Forgiveness Is Not Optional in the Kingdom

Jesus made this clear in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). He shows us that if we have been forgiven much, we are called to forgive much. God doesn’t suggest forgiveness as an optional add-on to our faith. It’s a necessity. Why? Because forgiveness is the evidence that we understand the gospel. It’s the fruit of knowing we’ve been forgiven by God. You can’t withhold from others what you’ve freely received from Him—it’s just not how the Kingdom works.

Forgiveness is an act of faith and trust in God’s justice. It’s saying, “God, I trust You to handle this. I release this person from my judgment and put them in Your hands.” That’s powerful, because it frees your heart to stay tender and aligned with God’s love. It lets you walk in freedom, even if the other person never acknowledges their wrong.

Forgiveness Brings Heaven to Earth

Jesus told us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). Do you know what’s in heaven? No resentment, no bitterness, no grudges—just perfect love and forgiveness. So if we want to bring heaven to earth, it has to start in our hearts. That means choosing forgiveness every time, no matter how hard it feels.

It doesn’t mean we condone sin or pretend hurt doesn’t exist. It means we refuse to let sin against us produce sin in us. We don’t carry offense. We carry mercy. And we forgive—not because they deserve it, but because we didn’t deserve it either, yet God forgave us through Christ.

Forgiveness Opens the Door to Healing

I’ve seen it countless times—people holding onto unforgiveness and wondering why they can’t seem to move forward. It’s like a weight holding them back. But when they forgive, even if it’s through tears, the chains fall off. Suddenly, they experience the peace and joy of God in a way they never thought possible. Why? Because forgiveness clears the way for healing.

James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed. Forgiveness is a part of that healing process. When we forgive, we’re no longer giving the enemy a foothold in our hearts (Ephesians 4:27). We’re taking back the ground he tried to steal, and we’re walking in the freedom Jesus died to give us.

Walking in Love, Walking in Freedom

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a lifestyle. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:13 to bear with one another and forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. That means we live with a posture of grace, always ready to forgive, always ready to extend the love of Christ.

This is where spiritual freedom comes from—living unoffended, full of grace, and free from the chains of resentment. We don’t let other people’s actions dictate our hearts; we let God’s love dictate how we respond.

Jesus didn’t just die to forgive you—He died to teach you how to forgive. And when you step into that forgiveness, you’ll find yourself living in a freedom that nothing in this world can take from you. That’s the gospel. That’s the power of the cross. And that’s the kind of freedom that comes when we learn to forgive like Jesus did.

Forgive quickly. Forgive freely. And live in the freedom Jesus paid for with His life. You were made for it.