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Forgiveness is a product of love. It is not given because the person deserves it. It is not excusing the person who has done wrong. It does not come naturally; it is a choice. The Scripture states in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). By sinning, we have offended God and deserve death; however, He forgives us. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV).

As a prison chaplain, I have seen this demonstrated many times. A man, who we’ll call Alex, grew up in church. As a young man, he began to get involved with drugs in the city of New York. He not only used but distributed. Dealing drugs became his life. He rose through the ranks to become a kingpin. This came at a price. He lost his wife, was estranged from the rest of his family, and was wanted by the DEA and the FBI. On the run from the police, he entered a hotel room with the intention of killing himself. When he had the gun to his mouth, a preacher on the tv said, “Don’t harm yourself, God loves you.” He put the gun down and asked God for forgiveness, and God gave it to him.

At that very moment, the door busted open, and he was arrested. He pleaded guilty in court and was sent to the federal prison where I was serving as a prison chaplain. I helped disciple him and reconnect him to his wife and family, both of whom also forgave him. While there, he grew in the Lord. When he got out, he went to Bible college and is now an Assemblies of God pastor. That is the power of forgiveness.