We must forgive in a Christ-like fashion
By Msgr. John Wynand Katende
Posted on: Friday, 11th September 2026
"To err is human; to forgive, divine". This famous phrase comes from an 18th-century poem by Alexander Pope. There is no such saying in the Bible, but Christians deeply embrace its sentiment. It reflects core teachings on human weakness, God's infinite mercy, and the call to forgive others as Jesus did.
This belief directly points to the Christian theological concept of original sin. Original sin describes the fallen, sinful condition that all human beings inherit from the first humans. According to Genesis 3, sin entered the world when Adam and Eve chose themselves over God and His plan. Hence, the beauty and harmony of God’s creative plan was disrupted. We experience the effects of Original Sin in our daily life. With the best of intentions, we find it so difficult to do what is right. Hence, original sin is perceived to be a deprivation for each of us of original holiness and justice. It causes our natural powers of knowing and loving to be wounded.
It is Jesus Christ who frees us from Original Sin and our own actual sins. By Baptism, we share in the redemptive act of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, are freed from Original Sin, and are strengthened against the power of sin and death. We are reconciled to God and made members of His holy people, the Church.
To forgive is divine. True forgiveness goes beyond human instinct; it mirrors the merciful, unconditional love of God. This explains Jesus’ command to Christians to forgive those who trespass against them. He emphasizes that choosing to forgive transforms hurt into compassion through the Holy Spirit
In Romans 5:8, St. Paul affirms that Christ forgave us while we were still sinning, and continues to forgive us as we sin outright. Although He expects us to repent of our sins, He does not wait for sinners to be good enough for His grace and mercy. Jesus ate with sinners, not because He loved their sin. He loved the people who sinned.
Forgiveness seems impossible without Christ. Forgiving someone means saying “I do not want vengeance upon you.” Many unbelievers hope that “what goes around comes around,” which means that, eventually, all bad people will be caused to suffer. But Christians realize that Christ died for our sins. This breaks the spiral of revenge.
True forgiveness pursues relationship and restoration. It is not satisfied with simply canceling the debt. It pursues relationship and restoration. That nature of forgiveness must be real, not just words. It begins with the heart, not with the mouth. Only God can restore someone to a relationship with Himself. By forgiving the paralytic, Jesus was stating that He was One with God. (Luke 6:17-26).
Forgiveness is costly. The crucifix symbolizes the perpetual remission of our sins by Jesus Christ. It is the major significance of the Mass. When we forgive in Christ-like fashion, we continue to want the best for the enemy, rather than pretending they do not exist.
Forgiveness glorifies God. When humans choose to forgive others, they act as living reflections of the mercy they have first received from the Creator.
Forgiveness must be done with humility. We are all equally indebted to God, and only the work of Christ satisfied that debt for all who believe.
Jesus commands us to love and pray for our enemies. This challenging directive is viewed not just as an ideal, but as an essential path to spiritual maturity, healing our own hearts, and imitating the unconditional love of God. Jesus modeled this command perfectly when He forgave His executioners, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Ultimately, prayer invites God’s grace into the life of the enemy, opening the door for their conversion, salvation, and true peace.
Consequently, when we continue to ask the Lord to forgive us, our intention is to stop erring or sinning, because we love Him and wish to obey Him as a result. We truly repent by trying to turn away from sin with the Lord’s help.