Forgiven and HealedSample

Receiving and Extending Forgiveness

One of the many ways God expresses His love for us is through forgiveness. He categorically says in His word, that He will not be angry with us, nor will His covenant of peace be removed. Forgiveness is therefore the expression of covenant love.

There is another aspect of forgiveness that we often neglect: forgiving ourselves. When we fail or fall short, we owe it to ourselves to release what God has already forgiven. It is pride to continue holding against ourselves what God has released. If He has forgiven, and we insist on rehearsing the offence, we are placing our judgment above His.

The inability to forgive ourselves often shows up in how we treat others. When we struggle to extend grace, it is usually because we have not fully received grace. If we are still internally saying, “I should have done better. I should have known better. I should have prayed more. I should have fasted more,” we are operating from legalism rather than covenant.

Some even go further and interpret sickness as punishment for a personal failure. “I did not love enough.” “I did not forgive enough.” “That is why this happened.” That line of thinking is legalistic. It places healing on performance.

Scripture says, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Forgiveness is received before it is extended. We do not forgive others in order to qualify for healing. Healing was secured in the finished work of Christ. There was no clause added at the cross that limited redemption to perfect behaviour.

Galatians 3:13–14 declares that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us through Jesus Christ. Redemption is not conditional upon flawless conduct. It is grounded in Christ’s completed work.

When we truly receive God’s forgiveness, we can find rest for our souls and extend grace to others.