Forgiving others does not earn God’s forgiveness—it reveals that we have truly received His grace in Christ. Dr. Michael Youssef explains why real forgiveness transforms both our attitude and our relationships, freeing us from resentment and opening the door to a fresh start.
When Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” He was not teaching that we earn forgiveness by forgiving others. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that salvation is by grace through faith—not by works—because Christ paid our eternal debt once and for all at the cross.
Forgiving others is not a payment toward our forgiveness. It is evidence of spiritual life. Once we have received God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts, we are called to become people who extend grace to others.
Dr. Youssef explains that forgiveness has two sides: transforming your attitude toward the person who hurt you and transforming your relationship with that person when possible. Both require courage, because resentment often gives us a scapegoat and a weapon to hold in reserve.
But real forgiveness does not keep people locked in the prison of their past mistakes. It releases the grudge, refuses to weaponize the offense, and makes room for a genuine fresh start. In Christ, forgiveness becomes not bondage, but freedom.
Pray with me.
Father God, help me transform my attitude toward those who have offended me and give me the courage to transform my relationship with them as well. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.