Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Simon Peter once asked the Lord Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother Andrew (Matthew 18:21–35). Jesus responded with an unimaginable number – four hundred and ninety times (seventy times seven). Jesus was not giving Peter a formula but raising the standard of forgiveness far above what the world considers reasonable.
Our world thrives on revenge. From news headlines to entertainment, this spirit is reflected everywhere. Forgiveness is often represented as weakness. The popular slogan goes, “Don’t get angry, get even.” Yet in our pursuit of getting even, we pay a heavy price. Bitterness grows, resentment deepens, and relationships break. Eventually, revenge never heals but only multiplies pain and leaves justice unfulfilled.
Forgiveness, however, is the path our heavenly Father chose for us. When we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:5), God extended mercy through the blood of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. If God forgave us when we were undeserving, then as His children we are called to walk in that same grace toward others.
Apostle Paul, who wrote this chapter, understood forgiveness personally. He once persecuted the church (Acts 22:3–4), yet God forgave him completely and transformed him into a vessel of mercy. Like Paul, we should imitate God’s nature by being kind, tenderhearted, and rich in compassion. It is not a license to continue in sin but a call to live a life shaped by God’s love.
Each day, let God’s nature be evident in your words, actions, and responses. As His presence guides and protects you, forgiveness, even seventy times seven, becomes possible. With God’s help, your life can shine like a lighthouse, pointing others to the mercy you have freely received.
