Forgiveness: The Key to the Christian Life and the Path to True Freedom
Introduction: Following Christ Through Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult commands of the Christian life. It goes against our human nature, which cries out for justice and even revenge. Yet, forgiveness is also one of the clearest ways we reflect the heart of God and follow Jesus Christ. Over the last couple of days, I have had people come to me with deeply personal questions, often through tears and anger, asking: “How could Erika Kirk forgive the man who killed her husband? How can anyone forgive those who have wounded them so deeply?” These are not abstract theological questions. They are questions born out of the raw pain of betrayal, loss, and injustice.
When I hear these questions, I point people back to the cross. There, at the climax of human history, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, hung in agony, unjustly condemned, mocked, beaten, and abandoned. And in the midst of that suffering, He uttered words that have reverberated through the centuries:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
(Luke 23:34, ESV)
This single sentence reveals the very heart of God. The Greek text here uses the verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), which means “to release, to let go, to cancel a debt.” Jesus was not merely offering a polite gesture. He was asking the Father to completely release those responsible from the spiritual debt they owed for their sin against Him. This included the Roman soldiers who drove the nails into His hands, the religious leaders who falsely accused Him, and even the crowds who shouted, “Crucify Him!” In other words, Jesus’ forgiveness was not limited to those who might later repent, it was offered even to those still hardened in their sin.
By saying, “for they know not what they do,” Jesus highlighted the blindness of the human heart. The Greek word οἶδα (oida), translated “know,” conveys not just intellectual knowledge but spiritual perception. They were blind to the enormity of their actions. This reflects a profound truth: people who harm us are often spiritually blind to the true nature of their sin. That blindness does not excuse the sin, but it explains why forgiveness is necessary. Without forgiveness, sin multiplies, and bitterness takes root.
The Old Testament Foundation of Forgiveness
Forgiveness was not a new concept introduced by Jesus; it has deep roots in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew word for forgiveness is סָלַח (salach), which means “to pardon” or “to forgive.” This term is most often used of God Himself as the One who grants forgiveness. For instance:
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive (salach) their sin and heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)
From the very beginning, God revealed Himself as a forgiving God. In Exodus 34:6–7, when He declared His name to Moses, He described Himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving (salach) iniquity, transgression, and sin.” Forgiveness is woven into God’s very character.
Yet the Old Testament also shows how costly forgiveness is. Under the Law, forgiveness required the shedding of blood through animal sacrifices (Leviticus 17:11). These sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In this way, Jesus’ prayer on the cross was the fulfillment of centuries of prophetic foreshadowing.
Forgiveness in the New Testament: A Call to Follow Christ
In the New Testament, forgiveness is not merely something we receive from God; it is something we are called to extend to others. The Apostle Paul writes:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving (charizomenoi) one another, as God in Christ forgave (echarisato) you.”
(Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Here, Paul uses the Greek word χαρίζομαι (charizomai), which means “to freely give” or “to graciously pardon.” Our forgiveness of others is rooted in the forgiveness we have received through Christ. Just as God forgave us freely and completely, we are to forgive others freely and completely.
Jesus Himself made this connection clear in the Lord’s Prayer:
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
(Matthew 6:12, ESV)
The word for “debt” here is ὀφείλημα (opheilēma), literally meaning something owed, like a financial obligation. Sin is a spiritual debt, and forgiveness is the cancellation of that debt.
The Freedom Forgiveness Brings
When we refuse to forgive, we chain ourselves to the offense and to the offender. Bitterness poisons the soul, as the author of Hebrews warns:
“See to it that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”
(Hebrews 12:15, ESV)
Forgiveness, on the other hand, sets us free. The Hebrew word דְּרוֹר (deror), used in Isaiah 61:1 to describe liberty or release, is echoed in Jesus’ mission statement:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty (aphesis, the Greek equivalent of deror) to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
(Luke 4:18, ESV)
Forgiveness is a form of spiritual freedom. When we forgive, we are no longer held captive by anger, hatred, or revenge. We are released to live in the peace and joy of Christ.
Forgiveness in the Face of the Impossible
When people ask me how Erika Kirk could forgive the man who murdered her husband, I understand the weight of their question. Forgiving in such circumstances feels humanly impossible. And truthfully, it is without Christ.
Jesus’ example on the cross shows us that forgiveness is not a natural response; it is a supernatural act empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus prayed for His executioners, we are called to pray for those who have wronged us. This does not mean excusing sin or denying the pain. It means entrusting ultimate justice to God while releasing our right to vengeance.
As the Lord declares:
“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense…”
(Deuteronomy 32:35, ESV)
And as Paul echoes in Romans 12:19:
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
When we forgive, we are not saying the wrong done to us doesn’t matter. We are saying that God is the righteous Judge, and we trust Him to make all things right.
A Journey Worth Taking
Forgiveness is a journey, a painful, difficult, and often ongoing process. But it is a journey that leads us closer to the heart of Christ. When we forgive, we participate in the very mission of Jesus, who came to reconcile sinners to God and to one another.
As you read this book, my prayer is that you will not only understand what forgiveness is, but also experience the freedom and healing it brings. Whether you are struggling to forgive a family member, a friend, a stranger, or even yourself, know this: Jesus has gone before you. His words from the cross, “Father, forgive them” are not just a historical statement. They are an invitation to follow Him in the radical, life-changing path of forgiveness.
Forgiveness at the Heart of the Gospel
Forgiveness is not merely a good idea or a virtuous act; it is the heartbeat of Christianity. Without forgiveness, there is no Gospel. Without forgiveness, there is no salvation. The cross itself is God’s ultimate demonstration that forgiveness is central to His plan of redemption. Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, offered His life so that our sins could be atoned for, removed, and remembered no more.
But forgiveness is not only something we receive from God — it is something we are commanded to give to others. In doing so, we reflect Christ to the world and experience true spiritual freedom. Unforgiveness, on the other hand, is a spiritual prison that keeps both the offender and the offended bound. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks that prison door.
The recent tragedy surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death brings this reality into sharp focus. His wife, Erika Kirk, in the midst of unimaginable grief, publicly declared forgiveness for the man accused of killing her husband. Her words echo the voice of Jesus from the cross and the testimony of countless believers throughout history who chose grace over vengeance. Erika’s forgiveness is not weakness — it is biblical strength, grounded in the very character of God.
To understand why forgiveness is so essential, we must first go back to God’s Word, examining both the Old and New Testaments, and even the original Hebrew and Greek languages, to grasp the depth of what it truly means to forgive.
Part I: Forgiveness in the Old Testament — The Hebrew Foundations
The Old Testament paints a rich picture of forgiveness, using several Hebrew words that each highlight a different aspect of God’s mercy and the human call to forgive.
1. סָלַח (Sālach) – To Pardon, To Forgive
The most common Hebrew verb for forgiveness is סָלַח (sālach), which means to pardon or spare someone from the consequences they deserve. Uniquely, this word is only ever used of God forgiving sin, never of humans forgiving each other. This reveals that true forgiveness flows from God Himself.
“Who is a God like You, pardoning (sālach) iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.”
— Micah 7:18
Here, we see that God’s forgiveness springs from His covenant love (chesed, חֶסֶד). Human forgiveness, therefore, is not natural — it is supernatural. We forgive because God first forgave us.
2. נָשָׂא (Nāśā) – To Lift, To Carry Away
Another critical term is נָשָׂא (nāśā), which literally means to lift up, to carry, or to bear. When applied to sin, it conveys the image of removing a burden. This is the language of Psalm 103:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed (nāśā) our transgressions from us.”
— Psalm 103:12
Here, sin is pictured as a crushing weight that God lifts and casts away. This foreshadows Jesus, the ultimate Sin-Bearer:
“Surely He has borne (nāśā) our griefs and carried (sabal) our sorrows…”
— Isaiah 53:4
When we forgive others, we imitate God by lifting the weight of guilt off our offender, releasing them from the debt they owe us.
3. כָּפַר (Kaphar) – To Cover, To Atone
The root כָּפַר (kaphar) gives us the word kippur, as in Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It literally means to cover or to make atonement. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, blood was shed to cover sin so that God’s wrath would be turned away.
“For on this day shall atonement (kaphar) be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins.”
— Leviticus 16:30
This foreshadows Christ’s blood, which doesn’t merely cover sin temporarily but removes it forever (Hebrews 10:4, 10).
The Old Testament Pattern
In the Hebrew Scriptures, forgiveness involves:
God pardoning (sālach) out of His covenant love.
God lifting away (nāśā) the crushing weight of sin.
God covering atonement (kaphar) through sacrificial blood.
This threefold picture finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away (airō, Greek for “lift away”) the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Part II: Forgiveness in the New Testament — The Greek Depth
When we turn to the New Testament, two primary Greek words reveal the fullness of Christ’s teaching on forgiveness.
1. ἀφίημι (Aphiēmi) – To Release, To Let Go
The verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) literally means to send away, release, or let go. It’s used in the Lord’s Prayer:
“Forgive (aphiēmi) us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
— Matthew 6:12
This paints forgiveness as canceling a debt. When someone wrongs us, they incur a moral and relational debt. Forgiving them means releasing them from repayment. Jesus illustrated this in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35).
On the cross, Jesus used this very word when He prayed:
“Father, forgive (aphiēmi) them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
— Luke 23:34
Even as He hung in agony, He released His executioners from the debt they owed Him. This is the model for all Christian forgiveness.
2. χαρίζομαι (Charizomai) – To Freely Give Grace
The verb χαρίζομαι (charizomai) is related to the Greek word for grace, χάρις (charis). It emphasizes freely granting forgiveness as a gift, not because the offender deserves it, but because God freely gave grace to us.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving (charizomai) each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32
This word shows that forgiveness is an act of grace, flowing from God’s unmerited favor. We don’t forgive because someone earned it; we forgive because we have been forgiven.
Part III: The Example of Christ
Forgiveness is not just a command — it is a reflection of Christ Himself. Jesus forgave sinners throughout His ministry:
The paralyzed man in Mark 2:5 — “Son, your sins are forgiven” (ἀφίημι).
The sinful woman in Luke 7:48 — “Your sins are forgiven” (ἀφίημι).
His crucifiers on the cross — “Father, forgive them” (ἀφίημι).
Jesus not only taught forgiveness — He embodied it. To follow Christ is to live as He lived, forgiving even when it hurts most.
Part IV: The Freedom of Forgiveness
Forgiveness brings freedom — both spiritual and emotional.
Freedom for the Forgiver – When we hold onto unforgiveness, bitterness poisons our soul. Hebrews 12:15 warns of a “root of bitterness” that defiles many. Forgiving releases that poison and brings peace.
Freedom for the Forgiven – Forgiveness lifts the crushing burden of guilt, offering a chance for repentance and new life.
Freedom in Community – Forgiveness restores relationships, uniting the Body of Christ. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one (John 17:21), and forgiveness is essential for that unity.
Part V: Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness — A Modern Example
In a powerful display of biblical forgiveness, Erika Kirk, at her husband’s memorial service, publicly forgave the man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk. Her words mirror the very heart of Jesus’ teaching:
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And what Charlie would do.”
She continued:
“The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love — always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Erika even declared that she would not seek the death penalty, saying:
“I do not want that man’s blood on my ledger.”
Her response echoes Romans 12:19:
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
Erika’s forgiveness is not natural. It is supernatural, rooted in her understanding of God’s mercy. It demonstrates that forgiveness is not about minimizing the offense, but about magnifying the grace of Christ.
If Charlie were still alive, it is clear from his wife’s words and from the example of his ministry that he too would have chosen to forgive his attacker. Like Jesus, Charlie would have desired not vengeance, but redemption for the one who wronged him.
Part VI: Forgiveness as a Witness to the World
When Christians forgive in the face of deep pain, it becomes a testimony to the world of God’s power. Jesus said in John 13:35:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Forgiveness is love in action. It shows a watching world that the Gospel is real. Erika’s forgiveness has already inspired millions, pointing them to Christ.
Conclusion: Forgiveness as the Way of Christ
Forgiveness is not optional. It is the way of Christ.
The Old Testament shows God as the one who pardons (sālach), lifts (nāśā), and covers (kaphar) sin.
The New Testament reveals Jesus as the one who releases (aphiēmi) and freely grants grace (charizomai).
The cross is the ultimate act of forgiveness — a cosmic release of our debt.
To forgive is to live the Gospel. It is to follow Jesus’ command to love enemies, to reflect God’s character, and to experience true freedom.
Erika Kirk’s powerful example reminds us that forgiveness is not weakness but strength — the strength of a heart transformed by Christ. May we, too, choose forgiveness, no matter the cost, so that the world may see the power of the Gospel through us.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32
