Why is faith in Christ essential for forgiving others?
Answered in 1 source
Faith in Christ is essential for forgiveness because it allows us to trust in His grace and be merciful to those who have wronged us.
Forgiveness is fundamentally tied to our faith in Christ, as the only way we can forgive others is by resting in the understanding of how greatly we have been forgiven through Him. The sermon emphasizes that our Lord taught that no matter the offense, we are to forgive our brethren as Christ has forgiven us. This is rooted in Ephesians 4:32, which states that we should be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Such forgiveness is not based on our merit but on our complete reliance on Christ's redemptive work and grace. Hence, our faith in Christ compels us to extend that same mercy to others, as we recognize we are all beneficiaries of His grace.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 4:32, John 13:14-15
Commentary