Forgiveness

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

In Matthew 18:21, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times ?“ In Verse 22, Jesus answered, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” In other words, Jesus instructed Peter to forgive his brother indefinitely!

Jesus went on to tell the parable of the servant who was forgiven a several-million-dollar debt by the king and who then threw his brother in jail for a debt owed of just a few dollars. When the king discovered his ungraciousness, he was furious!

In Verse 35, Jesus said, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” The Father is angry when his children do not forgive one another sincerely, from the heart. It is not possible to love and still be unforgiving.

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” You had a debt you could not pay, and Jesus paid a debt He did not owe! Forgive others and follow the teaching and example of Christ.

PRAY: “Forgiving Father, I have more to learn about sincerely forgiving as You have done. Help me to forget the trespasses as well. I ask it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”