This is an aspect of discipleship that may be one of the most difficult labors the Christian is called upon to perform. Our involvement in this work, however, makes us more like the merciful Jesus than anything else we might do.
The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer suggested that while only Christ’s sufferings could bring the atonement with its benefits of forgiveness for all, his disciples too must bear the sins of others-other people’s burdens-being supported in this by him who bore the sins of all.
“The passion [sufferings] of Christ strengthens [the disciple] to overcome the sins of others by forgiving them.... The only way to bear that sin is by forgiving it.... The call to follow Christ always means a call to share the work of forgiving men their sins. Forgiveness is the Christlike suffering which it is the Christian’s duty to bear.” (The Cost of Discipleship, p. 100.)