Holy Martyr Callinicus.
2 Corinthians 2:4-15. Matthew 23:13-22.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:4-15
The Apostle Paul touches upon a critical element of the Christian life: forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the conscious decision to no longer hold against someone else the injury they caused.
When I forgive, I do not pretend that the injury did not occur; I do not pretend that there is no healing to be done. When I forgive, I do not say that the offender is innocent of their sin against me.
When I forgive, I stop allowing myself to get worked up and angry over the person who committed the offence. I stop running scenarios through my mind wherein the perpetrator is harmed or punished. I stop allowing that person to live in my mind and heart rent-free to take my peace away. I let them go. I let them go so that I can focus my energy on my own healing and peace instead.
This is absolutely necessary for us. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary. Without forgiveness we cannot have peace—the peace of the Lord—in our hearts.