There is no use in talking as if forgiveness were easy. For we find that the work of forgiveness has to be done over and over again.

We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance, with forbearance one for another.

Our relationships are often harmed when we try to atone for our own sins while condemning the other person for his.

Remember, your relationships have not been designed by God as vehicles for human happiness, but as instruments of redemption.

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.

holding onto an offense will make you a bitter and unloving person, and you will inevitably damage all your relationships.

It's inevitable. If you live with other sinners, you will have conflict. The closer you are to someone, the more potential there is for conflict. Relationships are costly, but so is avoiding them.

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

Godly relationships flourish best between two humble people who acknowledge their weaknesses and sins and their need for grace.

If I gossip or engage in ungodly conflict, I harm the gift God has given. But if I am willing to pursue, forgive, and serve, I demonstrate care for these gifts.

In other words, you can't take the gospel seriously and not take your relationships seriously.

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