On more than one occasion, I have said that one of the hardest things to do is to forgive. That includes people who claim they have a relationship with the Almighty God. For some reason, they cannot simply make the right decision to forgive. They try to justify their unforgiveness with excuses. Consequently, they spend their days in anger and resentment. They refuse to acknowledge that they themselves are forgiven, while not forgiving another. In addition, they surround themselves with people who constantly tell them that they will make the wrong decision if they forgive someone who they feel has wronged them. They live an unforgiving life and pass it on to their children who also grow up unwilling to forgive. The scripture lesson is John 20:23.

“If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

In this passage, Jesus speaks to His disciples. He breathed on them and they receive the Holy Spirit. He says that if you forgive someone’s sins, they are forgiven. He wants them to have the peace and power of the Holy Spirit. These disciples were locked up behind closed doors because of their fear of the Jewish leaders. Not only did Jesus grant them peace, He tells them about the need to forgive. Read this entire passage of scripture that speaks of how one can forgive. The flesh cannot do it alone. The Spirit of God gives us the strength. Then we will have peace in our hearts and minds. Have peace as you make the right decision to forgive.