We hurt people constantly, and in doing so we hurt our Beloved Father. Without God’s forgiveness, we can’t access the full power of the Holy Spirit or have the love of God manifested in our lives. We are sinners and we need God’s grace; and it is only by recognizing our sinful state that we realize our need of forgiveness.

The same grace and mercy that God extends to us, must also be extended to those who have offended us. Didn’t Jesus, while He was dying on the cross, forgive the ones that had put Him there? He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Later, the apostle Paul encourages us to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you" (Eph. 4:32). Jesus also said:

You see, when we don’t forgive, we are allowing anger, hurt, and hatred to dominate our minds. Thus, we are persisting in our sins.

Isaiah 59:1-2 tells us:

When sin separates us from God, our communication with Him is broken. When we cannot forgive, we are separating ourselves from God’s ability to hear our confessions and forgive us. Sin is a terrible disease. It’s the disease that breaks human relationships, as well as heavenly ones. If we can’t forgive others, there is no room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit.