How do we know forgiveness is essential in Christianity?

The importance of forgiveness in Christianity is underscored in Luke 17:3-4, where Jesus instructs His followers to rebuke and forgive those who sin against them, regardless of how many times it occurs. This teaching is consistent with the overall message of the New Testament, where forgiveness is not only a command but also a manifestation of one’s own experience of being forgiven by God. In Matthew 18:35, Jesus emphasizes that if we do not forgive others, we risk demonstrating that we have not truly understood or experienced the forgiveness God offers us. Forgiveness is thus foundational in fostering unity and love within the body of Christ and is a hallmark of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.