Exodus 34:6–7 “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”

Forgiveness is the very heartbeat of God. To forgive means to release someone from the debt of their wrong and to no longer hold their offense against them. It is not pretending nothing happened; it is choosing to let go of vengeance and to entrust the matter into God’s hands. Forgiveness is freedom, freedom for the one who gives it and for the one who receives it.

God forgives all kinds of wrongs – iniquity, which speaks of the hidden corruption of the heart; transgression, which means deliberate rebellion; and sin, which refers to human failure. He forgives not because we deserve it but because He delights in mercy. Micah 7:18–19 says, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

When God forgives, He does so completely, keeping no record of wrongs. Likewise, in marriage, where two imperfect people live together, offenses will surely arise. That is why forgiveness is not optional; it is essential. Forgiveness is the breath of love, the nature of God that holds a marriage when everything else falls apart.

Without forgiveness, even the most beautiful marriage will suffocate under the weight of accumulated offenses. The marriage that breathes forgiveness will always rise again, no matter how broken it once was. A husband and wife who cannot forgive cannot truly love, for love and forgiveness are inseparable. When forgiveness departs, bitterness begins to rule, and when bitterness rules, destruction is only a matter of time.

Please, my dear friend, it is time to let go. You have carried the burden of unforgiveness for too long. You are hurting yourself; you are breaking yourself. Let it go and let God stand for you. It is time to forgive the wrong of your spouse. Forgive completely, forgive quickly, and forgive continually. Matthew 18:21–22 reminds us that forgiveness has no limit. Do not keep a record of wrongs. Stop rehearsing the pain and start embracing the healing. Forgiveness is not denial; it is deliverance. It is the nature of God at work in the human heart.

And to you who are single and preparing for marriage, be very careful if you meet someone who carries grudges in their hearts. When you hear things like, “I am not on talking terms with my father,” “I cannot forgive my mother,” “I cannot forgive my siblings,” “In my church, I do not talk to that person,” listen, you are in trouble. The person who carries bitterness is missing a vital nature of God. If the man or woman you want to marry does not have the nature of forgiveness, you better go back and pray, and pray again. That person is missing the heart of God and it will surely manifest in your relationship sooner or later. Forgiveness is the nature of God that helps you forgive all kinds of sin, transgression, and iniquity.

Also, it is important to understand that forgiveness requires acknowledgement of our wrong. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” You do not keep doing wrong and refuse to acknowledge it. You must confess, you must take responsibility, you must humble yourself. Forgiveness is not a license to continue in sin. You must not use forgiveness as a tool for manipulation. Some say, “I know she will forgive me,” and then go on committing adultery. Others say, “I know he is a good man; he will forgive me,” while they continue speaking evil of their spouse. That is not lov