The Power of Godly Character: Forgiveness and Mercy in Action

Every day, I’m reminded of how important it is to reflect the character of Christ in my relationships. Whether it’s with family, friends, or even coworkers, the way we respond to others says a lot about our walk with God. In my latest message, "The Power of Godly Character," I dive into James 3:17, where we find a powerful reminder of how to live with forgiveness and mercy.

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” When I read that verse, what stands out most is being “easy to be entreated.” This means we should be approachable and willing to reconcile, even when it’s tough. Trust me, I know this isn’t easy—especially when someone has hurt us. But God calls us to live in a way that reflects His heart, and that includes being quick to forgive.

In my own life, I’ve had to learn that forgiveness is less about the other person and more about keeping my heart aligned with God. I’m not saying we should let people walk all over us or stay in harmful situations, but holding onto bitterness only weighs us down. Godly character is shown when we can forgive, even without an apology, and choose peace over revenge.

I think we’ve all seen how today’s culture is quick to cancel or seek payback when wronged. But as believers, we’re called to live differently. I’ve come to realize that walking in forgiveness and mercy is the best way to show who we belong to—our actions reveal that we are children of God. And just as God forgives us freely, He asks us to do the same for others.

I know it can be hard. If you’re struggling to forgive someone or let go of past hurts, I encourage you to pray and ask God for help. His wisdom will guide you and give you the strength to forgive.

To dive deeper into this message, I invite you to watch the full video on my YouTube channel.

Let’s grow together in godly character, forgiveness, and mercy.

[Watch the full message here!]

Blessings,

Carol Copeland