A number of Christian movies emphasize themes of grace, redemption, and confidence in God amid trying circumstances while focusing on the transformational power of forgiveness. Important movies that are frequently based on true experiences show how to forgive even when it seems impossible.
A story about forgiveness captivates the heart more than any other, despite the fact that our culture loves revenge-themed films. However, a film that discusses God’s forgiveness is powerful. These eight Christian movies are about God’s forgiveness, or at the very least, can educate us about God’s forgiveness rather than just human forgiveness.
These are some of the best Christian movies that impart forgiveness:
1. I Can Only Imagine (2018)
Based on the real-life narrative of MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard, the 2018 movie I Can Only Imagine provides profound insights regarding faith, healing, and the human condition.
The following are the main takeaways from the film:
- Forgiveness is for the Forgiver: At first, Bart harbors intense animosity and bitterness against his violent father. The movie shows that harboring resentment “destroys dreams” and that genuine healing doesn’t start until Bart decides to forgive his father, regardless of whether it was “earned”.
- No One Is Beyond Redemption: Despite being portrayed as a “monster,” Arthur Millard experiences a profound metamorphosis as a result of grace and faith. This serves as a reminder that “no heart is too hardened for grace to reach” and that anyone, even those who appear unreachable, can be transformed by God.
- Pain Can Be Purposeful: Bart’s greatest achievement ultimately stems from his most traumatic life events, which included his father’s abuse and a football injury that ended his career. The film teaches that “beauty can come from ashes” and that “God’s redirections” are frequently the reason behind life’s setbacks.
- The Power of Authenticity: Only when Bart stops striving to be “perfect” and starts composing from a place of unvarnished honesty and sensitivity about his background will his music career really take off.
- Generosity in Leadership: When well-known singer Amy Grant realizes that “I Can Only Imagine” is Bart’s song to sing and gives him the lead, it teaches a powerful lesson. This demonstrates that real leaders don’t fear being overshadowed by their mentors.
2. The Grace Card (2010)
A faith-based drama called The Grace Card examines how forgiveness and grace may heal severe ethnic and interpersonal divisions.
The following are the main takeaways from the movie:
- Never Undervalue the Power of Grace: The idea that grace is a potent force capable of mending even the most severe wounds is a major topic. “You can’t underestimate the power of grace” is what Grandpa George says.
- Forgiveness Helps the Forgiver: The film highlights that harboring resentment only damages your own heart and loved ones. The weight of anger and resentment is lifted when one chooses to forgive.
- Justice Is Insufficient: “Justice won’t change our hearts” is one of the film’s most powerful themes. Only grace and compassion have the power to genuinely change individuals and relationships, while the law deals with criminal activity.
- Overcoming Racial Prejudices: The narrative centers on the collaboration between a black pastor-turned-policeman and a resentful white officer. It teaches that when people decide to put aside their prejudices and recognize each other’s common humanity, reconciliation is achievable.
- Creating Bridges Through Pain: The two main protagonists are “managing pain”—one from a tense relationship with his father, and the other from the death of a kid. The movie demonstrates that rather from serving as a barrier to loneliness, shared pain may serve as a bridge to understanding and connection.
- Fathers’ Influence: The film emphasizes how important fathers are in giving their families security and guidance, even while they are dealing with personal setbacks.
3. Unconditional (2012)
Inspired by Joe Bradford’s biography, Unconditional (2012) examines themes of profound loss, restorative justice, and finding hope in the most dire situations.
The following are the main takeaways from the movie:
- Service as a Route to Recovery: Samantha Crawford considers suicide following her husband’s murder. She doesn’t start healing until she shifts her attention from her personal suffering to the projects’ at-risk kids. The movie makes the argument that you can eventually better your own life by helping others.
- Love as the Unchanging Sun: The idea that God’s love is like the sun—even when “storm clouds” of sorrow obscure it—is a central metaphor throughout the film. This lesson highlights that, despite how it may seem, we are never really alone.
- Samantha has to decide between her need for justice (vengeance) and her love for forgiveness. The movie illustrates how forgiveness promotes peace and reconciliation while resentment and retaliation are harmful forces.
- The Effect of Mentorship: Through the character of “Papa Joe,” the film emphasizes how important father figures and mentors are for kids going through difficult times. It demonstrates how a child can be guided toward a bright future and away from a life of crime by the unwavering love of one person.
- Redemption from Your previous: Joe’s journey from a youngster subjected to bigotry to an adult incarcerated demonstrates that one’s previous transgressions do not determine their future. According to his beliefs, a challenging path “ain’t a dead end if it takes you somewhere you needed to go.”
- Breaking Stereotypes and Shared Humanity: The movie asks audiences to see past social and ethnic biases. It illustrates that when there is a common objective of love, a white woman and a black guy can work together in an inner-city community and establish a connection.
4. Woodlawn (2015)
The 2015 film Woodlawn tells the true story of the 1973 Woodlawn High School football team in Birmingham, Alabama, and how they overcame long-standing racial hostility thanks to a spiritual rebirth.
Among the film’s most important lessons are:
- The only thing that can eradicate hatred is love: The movie imparts the lesson that “darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that” by referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Only after they decided to love each other as brothers instead of as rivals or foes did the players come together.
- Play for Something Greater Than Yourself: While playing for yourself can make you “great,” playing for a higher purpose results in something “extraordinary,” which is a key leadership lesson from the movie’s chaplain, Hank.
- Revival Can Start Anywhere: Spiritual change was possible even in “Bombingham,” a city known for its racial brutality. The movie demonstrates that God can restore hope and reconciliation in any damaged situation.
- The Power of Standing Up for Beliefs: When the PA system was turned off, Coach Tandy Geralds led a stadium-wide prayer in defiance of instructions to cease religious activity. This emphasizes how crucial it is to stand by your principles in the face of institutional pressure.
- One Person Can Spark Change: Teenagers’ willingness to listen and follow their elders, as well as the bravery of one guy (Hank) to deliver a message of hope, marked the beginning of the town’s turnaround.
- Gentleness and Respect are Fundamental: The movie emphasizes that genuine leaders treat everyone with respect and worth by contrasting Tony Nathan’s father’s unwavering affection with the violent actions of others.
5. The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008)
A faith-based coming-of-age tale, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008) highlights the influence an elder generation may have on younger people via purposeful mentoring.
The following are the main takeaways from the movie:
- Jonathan Sperry exemplifies the power of mentoring by showing that “age is an asset, not a limitation.” He demonstrates that one of the most important things a person can do is to mentor the next generation by devoting his time to Dustin and his friends.
- Using kindness as a tool to combat bullying: Mr. Sperry instructs the lads to react kindly to Nick, the town bully, rather than taking revenge. Nick’s barriers are gradually broken down by this “kill them with kindness” strategy, which causes him to change.
- The Bible as a Useful Guide: The “secrets” that are referenced in the title are the timeless lessons that can be learned from Scripture. The movie shows that biblical values are useful tools for navigating relationships and daily life, not only for Sunday.
- Second Chances and Forgiveness: The film emphasizes that nobody is “too far gone” to be saved. The protagonists discover that giving someone a second opportunity can alter their life’s course by extending grace to the local bully.
- Living with an Eternal Perspective: Jonathan Sperry is conscious of the fleeting nature of existence. His emphasis on “things that last” inspires viewers to put helping others and spiritual development ahead of worldly prosperity or fleeting pleasures.
- The boys’ relationship with Mr. Sperry serves as an example of how intergenerational friendships fortify a community by giving young people the stability and direction they require to grow up.
6. The Hiding Place (1975)
The terrifying true story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, who were deported to a concentration camp for concealing Jews during the Holocaust, is told in the 1975 film The Hiding Place.
The movie imparts important lessons about faith and perseverance:
- Forgiveness is a Choice, Not an Emotion: Despite her deep-seated animosity toward her captors, Corrie discovers that forgiveness is a conscious decision. The post-war scenario where she has to decide whether to forgive a former SS guard is the most well-known example of this.
- Finding Appreciation in Every Situation: Corrie learns from Betsie to express gratitude even for the lice in their barracks. Eventually, they discover that the lice kept the guards away, enabling them to conduct covert Bible studies and give other inmates hope.
- Love Your Opponents: Love is the greatest form of resistance, as the ten Booms show. They demonstrate that “there is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still” by being kind to their fellow inmates and even their guards.
- The Power of Moral Courage: The movie shows that when people put moral truth ahead of their own safety, they may do incredible things. The 10 Booms thought every human life was valuable, thus they risked everything.
- Faith Upholds the Spirit: The Nazi tyranny destroyed their bodies, but their spirits persisted. The film emphasizes that even in the face of the most terrible pain, a solid basis in religion may provide serenity.
- Getting Ready for Trials: As a little girl, Corrie learned from her father, Papa ten Boom, that God gives us the “ticket” (the strength) just before the train arrives. She survives the concentration camp thanks to this lesson in divine timing.
7. God Bless the Broken Road (2018)
In the 2018 film God Bless the Broken Road, Amber Hill, a young widow, battles to keep her house and raise her kid while coping with the death of her husband in Afghanistan.
The movie imparts a number of important lessons:
- Grief is Not a Straight Line: Amber’s journey is shown in the movie as a convoluted, non-linear one. It educates that it takes time to grieve loss and that it’s acceptable to feel overwhelmed, angry, or aloof during the process.
- The Power of Community Support: At first, Amber attempts to manage her emotional and financial responsibilities by herself. The narrative emphasizes how “carrying one another’s burdens” is a fundamental component of faith and how survival depends on friends and church family.
- The Struggle with Questioning God: This film lets its protagonist express genuine irritation and doubt, in contrast to numerous movies that portray a “perfect” religion. It emphasizes that doubting is frequently a step toward a closer, more genuine relationship with God and that God is capable of handling our rage.
- God Uses Our “Broken” Paths: The film demonstrates that every tragedy and error may be rerouted, drawing inspiration from the themes of Rascal Flatts’ song. Instead of being a dead end, the “broken road” is a route that takes us to a place we would not have otherwise been able to.
- The Value of Sacrifice: The movie pays tribute to the sacrifices made by military families through the characters of Amber’s husband and veteran Cody Jackson. It teaches that genuine love frequently entails prioritizing the freedom and needs of others over one’s own security.
- Financial Stewardship and Humility: Amber’s debt battle teaches her the value of seeking assistance before things get out of control and the humility needed to accept charity when it is given.
