Forgiveness

Before we get started, please read my previous article, here; Where's the judgement of charity?  My latest on Locals; The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Jim Crow Logic (that's a very niche topic, but, very important to know).  And, if you want to help out, Help with medical bills

“But if any have caused grief, he hath not grived me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So, that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices”. (2 Corinthians 2:5-11( (There's more, but, I don't have time for everything)
I can't remember if I've written about this or not, but, let me say straight away, that this is a struggle that I know I have with my fellow Christians. I think the reason that we have such a hard time forgiving, is because if feels like letting a legitimate hurt go when we do.
Well, as a friend of mine put it, “forgive, but don't forget”. We absolutely should not forget the hurts done to us.
But, at the same time, forgiveness is both conditional and unconditional. You can wait to forgive someone of a hurt, but, your failure to forgive them won't be good for you.
After all,
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men of their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
(Matthew 6:14-15).
Forgiveness is not optional.

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, News, and Whatever community and host of the weekly Bible study, Coffee and Christianity

*All verses from the King James Version of the Bible