It is foolish and so short-sighted to have revenge or winning as the goal in relationships. And even our best forgiveness is or can be shallow and selfish. The forgiveness goal has been set and it is quite high. Forgive like you were forgiven. That is, of course, assumes you want forgiveness and have been forgiven. Sadly, many could care less about forgiveness. All they want is “justice” on their terms, not realizing their terms are shallow, lacking in mercy, grace, and kindness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For Our Sake

The bar is set high

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

We must see our needs

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:11-13 (ESV)

God provides for our needs: Christ died for us

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)

God is faithful, just, forgives an cleanses

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10 (ESV)

There are no other solutions that meet God’s requirements

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Forgiveness brings lasting peace

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 (ESV)

What a Blessing!

“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.’” Romans 4:5-8 (ESV)

That is how great God’s forgiveness is. He justifies the ungodly. Don’t let the wonder of God’s magnificent forgiveness escape you.