Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
—Ephesians 4:32
Here’s a scary scripture: “If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mt 6:15).
And here’s a scary prayer: “Forgive us as we forgive others” (Mt 6:12 GW).
To offer forgiveness, while putting the person on probation is not forgiveness, it’s judgment: “I’m giving you another chance, but I’m going to be keeping an eye on you to see how you do.”
The one who conditionally forgives is holding all the cards with an attitude of superiority. “Love must be sincere” (Rom 12:9). Forgiveness is based on love, not superiority.
There is no such thing as provisional forgiveness. It is forgiveness or probation—it cannot be both.
Forgiveness is your foremost
contribution to healing.