2 Corinthians 2:10-11 -- On Forgiving

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
2 Corinthians 2:10-11


We know from D&C 64:10 that God will forgive who he chooses, but he asks us to forgive everyone. These verses from Paul I think provide some context to that idea. We, of course, can't choose who God forgives, although, like Paul he may be more disposed to do so once we make peace with a situation. Regardless of God's decision however, if we can find a way to forgive others, not only can we understand forgiveness and the love of God more clearly, but we also free ourselves from Satan's trap. He wants us to hold anger and resentment in our hearts, and to feel justified in doing so, so that he can lead us "away carefully down to hell" (2 Nephi 28:21).

Not forgiving someone doesn't mean that God won't forgive in that same situation... after all, he is willing to forgive us even our own worst offenses, if we repent. However, whether or not God forgives, if we don't, our hearts will harden and we will be pulling ourselves away from the Spirit of God, who is merciful and great, and who wants to forgive us all, and help us find our way back to him. Today, let's not resist the spirit that whispers forgiveness to our hearts. Let's let go of resentment and find our way to peace.