The Joy of Following Jesus—Even in Forgiveness
Following Jesus is the greatest joy we can ever know. But sometimes, He calls us to things that feel difficult, like forgiving those who have hurt us. Forgiveness isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is okay. It’s about trusting Jesus and loving as He’s loved us. And in that, we find joy—not just in forgiving, but in walking closely with Jesus, free from the weight of bitterness.
Forgiveness isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is okay. It’s about trusting Jesus and loving as He’s loved us.
1. Forgiveness Is an Act of Love, Not a Feeling
It’s one of the hardest tests but the greatest gift. If we waited until we felt like forgiving, we probably never would. But forgiveness isn’t about feelings—it’s about trusting Jesus with our lives and actions. To truly forgive, we must trust Jesus when He tells us that forgiveness is better than resentment. We trust His ways lead to life, even when they go against our self-preferred ways.
Jesus forgave us as an act of undeserved mercy and love at the hardest time, not waiting until He felt like forgiving them. Suffering immensely on the cross, while they delighted to commit evil acts against Him, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him. As those who believe Jesus has the words of life, we don’t forgive because we feel like it but because we trust that forgiving is the best thing for them and us, even when everything in us wants to hold on to anger.
As those who believe Jesus has the words of life, we don’t forgive because we feel like it but because we trust that forgiving is the best thing for them and us, even when everything in us wants to hold on to anger.
2. Satan Exploits Unforgiveness
When we refuse to forgive, we’re not just holding onto pain and living in anger—we’re giving Satan a foothold in our lives (2 Corinthians 2:11). He loves to use resentment to divide relationships, stir up bitterness, and rob us of the peace God wants for us. Unforgiveness affects our ability to experience God’s love fully. But when we forgive, we shut the door on Satan’s schemes and choose the joy of Christ instead.
Unforgiveness affects our ability to experience God’s love fully. But when we forgive, we shut the door on Satan’s schemes and choose the joy of Christ instead.
3. Forgiveness Brings Joy
The heart of following Jesus is joy in our walk with Him, and forgiveness is part of that joy. We’re not excusing sin or pretending we weren’t hurt when we forgive. We are choosing to trust and follow Jesus. We trust Jesus enough to let go of what we think should happen and leave it in His hands.
Forgiveness doesn’t just change the other person—it changes us. It makes us more like Jesus. It keeps our hearts soft. It deepens our trust in God’s justice and grace. And forgiveness brings joy, too, because we are walking in faith and obedience to Christ, unhindered by the weight of bitterness.
… Forgiveness brings joy because we walk in faith and obedience to Christ, unhindered by the weight of bitterness.
Forgiveness isn’t easy, but following Jesus was never about taking the easy way—it’s about taking the better way (John 14:6). When we trust Him enough to forgive, we’re choosing love over resentment, freedom over bitterness, and joy over the nasty game of getting even.
Maybe there’s someone in your life you’ve struggled to forgive. Maybe part of you resists forgiving them because they don’t deserve it. But forgiveness isn’t about what they deserve—it’s about trusting Jesus. He forgave us when we didn’t deserve it and calls us to do the same.
So today, will you choose the joy of walking with Jesus over the bitterness of unforgiveness?