Forgiveness, Correction and Christian Growth

In a recent episode of The New Christian podcast, Chris Jolly spoke with Simon Manchester, host of Hope 103.2’s Christian Growth podcast, assistant minister at All Saints Woollahra and teacher at Cornhill Bible College, about what happens after someone becomes a Christian, including the challenges of forgiveness, dealing with sin and growing in faith.

While salvation is a gift received through faith, Simon explained that the Christian life involves learning to live out that new identity day by day.

Learning to forgive

One of the clearest ways Christians reflect God’s grace is through forgiveness.

Simon said believers forgive because they have first experienced God’s forgiveness through Jesus.

“We get forgiven by God through Jesus who died for us, and we then begin to think, ‘If he can do that for me, I can forgive other people,’” Simon said.

Forgiveness is not always easy. Some wounds run deep and can take time to heal. Yet Simon said Christians can ask God for the grace and willingness to forgive, even in difficult situations.

Forgiveness becomes possible when we remember how much we have been forgiven.

He also noted that forgiveness does not automatically mean everything returns to normal. Sometimes reconciliation depends on the response of the other person.

Hope 103.2 is proudly supported by

Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same

Simon explained that Christians can choose forgiveness, but reconciliation requires both people to be willing participants.

There may be times when someone refuses to apologise, acknowledge wrongdoing or restore a damaged relationship.

In those situations, believers can still forgive in their hearts while recognising that reconciliation may not be possible at that moment.

“It’s a lovely thing to put your head on the pillow at night and know, ‘I’ve been forgiven a lot, and I’m willing to forgive,’” Simon said.

This willingness reflects the same grace that God extends to His people.

Christians still struggle

A common misconception is that Christians stop struggling once they come to faith.

Simon was quick to challenge that idea.

“You’re new but you’re not perfect,” Simon said.

Christians continue to wrestle with temptation, selfishness and sinful habits. The difference is that they now have a new desire to follow Christ and a new direction for their lives.

Christian growth is measured by direction, not perfection.

Rather than expecting instant maturity, Simon encouraged believers to see spiritual growth as a lifelong process of learning to trust and follow Jesus.

Judgement and loving correction

The conversation also explored what it means to care for fellow Christians when they are making harmful choices.

Simon explained that Jesus’ command not to judge others does not mean Christians should ignore wrongdoing. Instead, it means approaching people with humility rather than superiority.

“If you can find a way of doing it whereby at the end of the conversation they say, ‘There’s no doubt he or she came and spoke to me and loved me,’ you’ve done pretty well,” Simon said.

When correction is needed, the goal should always be restoration rather than condemnation.

Christians are called to speak the truth in a way that reflects genuine care for the other person.

A life worth exploring

As the conversation drew to a close, Simon encouraged listeners who are still exploring Christianity to keep asking questions and investigating the claims of Jesus.

He described the Christian faith as a life built on forgiveness, purpose and hope.

Christians can look back knowing their sins are forgiven, look up knowing they have a Father in heaven, and look forward knowing their future is secure in Christ.

For Simon, that makes Christianity not only true, but a deeply hopeful way to live.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above. All episodes of The New Christian are available on the podcast page.