Boundless Bible Study 17 - Forgiveness When It Still Hurts

Boundless Bible Study 17 - Forgiveness When It Still Hurts

2:24

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32.

Welcome to the Boundless Bible Study Podcast. I’m Dr. Layne McDonald, and I’m glad you are here. Today’s Bible study is called Forgiveness When It Still Hurts, and we are letting Scripture guide us through one of the hardest parts of following Jesus.

Forgiveness is not pretending the wound did not happen. It is not calling evil good. It is not saying pain does not matter. The Bible never asks us to live in denial. But Ephesians 4:32 does call us to forgive as Christ forgave us. That means forgiveness begins at the cross.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” That verse does not make forgiveness easy, but it makes it holy. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We release because Christ released us from a debt we could never pay.

Matthew 18 shows Peter asking Jesus how many times he should forgive. Jesus gives an answer that stretches far beyond keeping score. The point is not that people can hurt us without accountability. The point is that children of grace cannot become prisoners of bitterness.

Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge.” That is hard because revenge can feel like control. But God says, “It is mine to avenge.” Forgiveness means placing justice in God’s hands instead of letting hatred rule ours.

Some wounds need boundaries. Some situations need wisdom, counsel, safety, and time. Forgiveness does not always mean immediate trust. Trust can be rebuilt only where repentance, fruit, and safety are present. But forgiveness means bitterness does not get to become your home.

Ask Jesus to help you release what you cannot heal on your own. He understands wounds. He carried ours on the cross.

Go to www dot boundless online church dot org and join the Bible Study Club. Bring your questions, share prayer requests, and grow with others in Christ. If you ever come through Memphis, visit First Assembly Memphis, the parent church of Boundless Online Outreach Ministry.

Let me close with Luke 23:34, where Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.”

Lord Jesus, teach us to forgive through Your grace, not our strength alone. Amen.