The decision to forgive is first a heart transaction between you and God. It is a willingness to give up your desire to hold onto (and in some way punish the person for) his offense against you. Instead, you entrust the person and the offense to God, believing that he is righteous and just. You make a decision to respond to this person with an attitude of grace and forgiveness.

Even if he never does this, I am called to maintain an attitude of forgiveness toward the offender.

we all must remember that our relationships have been designed as workrooms for redemption, not shelters for human happiness.

Forgiveness is an event and a process

Mark 11:25 is talking about forgiveness as a heart attitude before God.

When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

With malice towards none; with charity for all.

We shall not kill and maybe next time we even won't.

Something to forgive is a purer joy than geometry.

Elizabeth, it comes down to this: Jesus shed His blood on the cross. He died for you, even when you did not deserve it. And He rose from the grave and offers forgiveness and salvation for anyone who turns to Him. But the Bible also says that we can't ask Him to forgive us while refusing to forgive others.

Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give and receive the gift of forgiveness. The feeling of happiness that will come will be a glimpse of what we can feel at home together in the eternal home for which we yearn.

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.