It helps to forgive others when they actually admit what they have done, show true remorse, and genuinely apologize.

God forgives those who confess (admit), repent (show true remorse and change of direction), and ask for His forgiveness (apologize). Then God will show mercy.

One attribute of God that is so far beyond human nature is His grace. He loved us even though we hated Him, Jesus died in our place while we were still His enemies, and He chose us to be His own even though we were criminals. God’s grace is unmerited, divine help given to us for our regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit is the one who does this.

Why do we call on the name of the Lord and repent? We are led to and granted repentance (Romans 2:4; Acts 11:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:25) by God Himself. Without God’s intervention and work in our heart, we would have never followed Him.

So, to be like God we should show mercy to those who ask for our forgiveness, and do our best to show grace as Jesus taught us. That is the hard part.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:43-48).