“I Don’t Ever Feel The Need To Forgive”

Robert Pattinson is a name many people are familiar with, especially teenagers.  Others might better know him as Edward, one of the main characters of the popular movie series, Twilight.  While he has wooed many on and off the screen, a recent interview with Australia’s Sunday Style tells a lot about his character.  Pattinson said, “I don’t ever feel the need to forgive or expect people to be.  I judge people on their actions.  I don’t really care if it’s wrong or right, I give them the benefit of the doubt.  If they do something I can’t be bothered to deal with, I just cut them out” (Yahoo).

No matter the situation or the circumstance, this should never be the attitude of a Christian.  Scripture makes it very clear that we are to be people of forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).  Peter and Christ once had a conversation on this very topic: “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’” (Matthew 18:21-22).

The message is obvious; we are to forgive others as many times as necessary.  When we forgive we are letting go of our anger, resentment, and ill feelings towards someone.  This doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences for actions, but it means we will let it go.  We won’t continue to bring the past back up or use it as a leveraging stab during an argument.

So, we know we should forgive, but why?  Jesus gives a very clear answer, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matthew 5:14-15).  Since we want our sins to be forgiven by God, we must also forgive others.