Christian Healing Ministry - Devotionals

Devotional for May 29, 2026

HOW TO FORGIVE

SCRIPTURE READING - 📖 Luke 23:33-34

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

Additional Verses

📖 Matthew 18:15-35; Luke 15:11-32; Ephesians 4:17-32

Forgiveness is a major theme of the Holy Bible. Without forgiveness of sins there can be no salvation at all. Without forgiveness there can be no reconciliation to God. You learn to forgive by forgiving even in the most impossible situation. The first thing that Jesus Christ did after they had brutally beaten Him up and crucified Him on the Cross, is that He prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him as well as for the whole world. You cannot forgive and curse at the same time. When you forgive you must be sincere just as the LORD Jesus Christ was sincere when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” As Jesus Christ went about preaching the Gospel of the kingdom and healing the sick and delivering the afflicted, He always pronounced forgiveness of sins first. The gift of healing in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ cannot be given to a person who cannot forgive. Tax collectors, prostitutes, robbers and all kinds of notorious sinners who earnestly came to Jesus Christ, all received the forgiveness of their sins and were restored to wholeness. If you cannot forgive those who sin against you, you cannot certainly be a member of the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus Christ uses the parable of the unforgiving servant to teach on forgiveness. If you punish others and not forgive them, you will receive the same fate, and will not be forgiven. When Peter asked Jesus Christ how often could he forgive his brother who sins constantly against him, Jesus Christ said, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Just think of how many times you sin against God every day knowingly and unknowingly and yet God always forgives you and restores you, giving you another chance. When you forgive, you do not just forgive by word of mouth, but you also act forgiveness by reconciling with your brother or sister just as the LORD Jesus Christ forgave us and reconciled us to His Father in heaven. When you forgive therefore, you do it in word and deed. Forgive and forget. It must be completely rubbed off your mind and you can only do that when you are invaded by the mind of Jesus Christ. True Christians are known for their ability to forgive, even their worst enemy just as the Lord Jesus Christ forgave them all who were nailing Him to the Cross, and including you and me today, to be children of God. Alleluia!

Prayer

Thank You LORD Jesus Christ for Your Word which has taught me to forgive. Help me not to forgive by word of mouth only, but also through the act of reconciliation as You demonstrated at the Cross of Calvary. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, Amen.