God’s intent when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die and rise again was not to inaugurate a new religion, far from it. What God hopes to accomplish is that the lost expression of His divine image in man may be restored. “What is the divine image of God?” we may ask. 
When we carefully study the Scriptures, we may come to a similar conclusion that Paul comes to in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul realizes something amazing by the revelation of the Spirit, and he calls it the fruit of the Spirit. In the blessed expressions of the Spirit’s presence, we see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These do not align with what the fallen nature of man allows.
Today's Bible verse reminds us that if we let unforgiveness linger in our hearts, we will soon find bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander running our lives. These characters have no business with God’s image and likeness that is expressed by the Holy Spirit. When people submit to the will and guidance of the Spirit of God, they find themselves manifesting another nature that is foreign to the natural man. They find a better way to live.
We must not look at forgiveness only through the lens of Jesus’ warning about not being forgiven by God if we don’t forgive others. Instead, we must look at it for what it is – it is not in the character of God. If we must be holy and be like God, then love, which brings forgiveness, must be our watchword and order of living.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Spirit that lives in me. I thank You for always hearing me when I call for help. Please, Holy Spirit, guide my heart against offense. Don't let me be a breeding ground for unforgiveness. Help me to easily forgive what wrongs and trespasses people commit against me. I know it is difficult to do so by my will, and this is why I humbly call for Your strength to empower me and help me do what is right and pleasing before God. Teach me to let go and show mercy to those who offend me just as God has shown me mercy.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.