Forgiveness is hard. Not just hard to do — but hard to do well. Hard to do without reopening wounds. Hard to do without stepping back into the crossfire of hurt. Jesus was all about forgiveness. He came to bring it. And yet even in His relationship with Peter, we see how painful forgiveness can be. The bold leader. The confident voice. “Even if all fall away…” And then the denial. Three times. Followed by that moment — locked eyes across the courtyard. That had to sting. And later, by a charcoal fire — again — Jesus gently, deliberately restores what had been broken. Three denials. Three questions. Three declarations of love. It stung. But it healed. Forgiveness is good for us. Necessary for us. But it must be applied with wisdom. Forgiveness does not mean remaining endlessly vulnerable to someone’s sin. It does not ignore truth. It sets the wounded free. And often, when you finally let it go, you discover that you are the one who has been set free.

Living on Purpose

Forgive...Wisely

1 Corinthians 13:5

1. Forgiveness is not optional.

2. Forgiveness doesn’t keep score.

a. Love doesn’t weaponize memory.

3. Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.

a. Forgiveness = releasing personal vengeance and entrusting justice to God

b. Reconciliation = restoration of relationship

4. Forgiveness is hardest for those who struggle with forgiving themselves.