We Must Forgive

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 

(Matthew 6:14-15)

We are most like Christ when we respond to offenses like He did – by forgiving. Since the Lord’s willingness to forgive us is so great, and since we derive such wonderful benefits from that forgiveness, He will not let us get away with an unwillingness to forgive. In fact, the refusal to forgive may indicate a lack of understanding of our salvation! It is, at least, an indication that we do not yet understand how our Lord works and what He expects.

Forgiveness is not an isolated event - it is a cycle. The Lord intends that we forgive, because we have been forgiven, and that is how the Kingdom operates. We must release those who sinned against us from the prison of our hurt and anger, because He has released us and remembers our sins no more. When we don't forgive, we stop the flow of the cleansing blood of Jesus, and we hold on to the bitterness that God would wash away -- if we would just forgive. It is terrifying to think we will one day find that our sins are not forgiven, because we held on to grudges and offenses we should have released! Let us take God at His word and let us be sure to forgive as we desire to be forgiven. It is a matter of life and death.

Let's Pray-Lord, help me forgive the sinful actions of others that hurt me, just as You have forgiven my sinful actions that hurt others. This is an issue of great importance, and I desperately need Your help. In Jesus, Amen.