The Virtue of Forgiveness and the Lesson of the Prodigal Son

"And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors."
—Matthew 6:12

This simple platitude from the Lord's Prayer should be of profound significance to the Christian in their lives. We struggle with hurt and sorrow often inflicted upon us by others. The solution? The Cross and the message of forgiveness offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. For those of faith, we should take heed to the commandments, and remember that when all is forgiven of us, then how can we not forgive our brother? "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." (Matthew 5:44). People might retort at the command to forgive, "He is my enemy? How can I forgive?" The Lord Jesus commands us to forgive even our enemies. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14).

We can reflect upon the depths of God's forgiveness for His flock in the parable of the prodigal son. The prodigal son spoiled His inheritance through rioutous living, and when he came back his father embraced him with a heart of forgiveness, clothed him and feed him.

11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 ¶ Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
—Luke 15:11–32

Sinners, we can embrace forgiveness in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. When we meditate and reflect upon the depths of the Lord's love for His sheep, and His abundant grace and mercy, how can we not love our brothers and forgive their trespasses? Where we struggle to forgive, may we seek the grace of the Lord, and ask of Him who gives wisdom liberally and without reproach. Let us not carry grudges. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13).

As our Lord Jesus Christ says, "These things I command you, that you love one another" (John 15:17). Forgiveness and love! Let it not be just hollow platitudes, but a reality in our lives. May I have a forgiving heart, and savor the tender mercies of my Lord Jesus Christ. When all is forgiven of us, how can we cannot forgive our brothers?

"Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
—Ephesians 4:82.