Forgive!

Read Matt. 6:14-15 carefully. One of the most important things to consider about Matt. 6:14-15 is that it proves that forgiveness from God the Father is conditional.

These verses clearly state if you forgive, then the Father will forgive you. Many of us ignore our own role in forgiveness. God requires us to forgive others of their trespasses. This is so essential that Jesus mentions it in His model prayer (Matt. 6:12).

What Are Trespasses?

A trespass means a sidestep i.e. error or transgression. We all have “sidesteps” or transgressions (Rom. 3:23). There is only one being who has walked this earth that has not sinned. Since we have all sinned, we have no right to condemn others.

Read Matt. 22:36-40. The whole of God’s law hangs on these two commandments. If you have shown anything less than love, you have broken the law. If you truly love God, shouldn’t that love extend to that which He has created? Would you trample over your spouse’s garden? Would you deface your spouse’s paintings? Most of us would not, yet we trample and deface God’s creation whenever it suits us.

Read what Paul says in Rom. 13:8-10. Love fulfills the law, it does not break it. Anything less than this Godly love is to trespass against the two greatest commandments! Keep in mind, these verses aren’t about opinions or offending others with the truth. This is about violating what God said.

The Spirit of Forgiveness

We trespass one another when we break God’s commandments. Every one of us has done this! What sets the Christian apart from everyone else is he/she forgives like the Father in heaven.

Read Mark 11:24-26. God is not raising hypocrites sons. We are not allowed to be unforgiving while expecting God to forgive us. These verses show that we cannot expect answered prayers if we do not forgive.

Read Luke 9:51-56. At that time, James and John did not fully understand Jesus’ mission. They did not know what manner of spirit they were to operate in. These verses are about the spirit of forgiveness. Read the verses again. James and John were ready to see these people consumed by fire over a misunderstanding (see verse 53).

Sidenote: If you read this passage carefully, then you will see that the Samaritans were not wrong about Jesus being set on going to Jerusalem. What the Samaritans did not realize was Jesus intended to stop in their village on the way to Jerusalem and that He had to go to Jerusalem for all our sakes. If the Samaritans had this understanding, they surely would have received Jesus in their village.

The real spirit of forgiveness can be found when comparing Matt. 18:15-17, 21-27 and Luke 17:3-4. This example given by Jesus really shows how God deals with us. If we repent, God will forgive us numerous times (I John 1:9).

Are you willing to forgive someone seven times in a day? (Luke 17:4) Is your forgiveness limited to seven times? (Matt. 18:21-22) This is truly the meaning behind Matt. 5:48 and Luke 6:36.

Your Salvation is Dependent on This!

Read Matt. 18:23-35. God will have compassion on us if we beg for forgiveness of our trespasses (verses 26-27). Nevertheless, this mercy is contingent on us showing mercy to others (verses 32-33). The forgiveness and mercy we extend to others cannot be hollow or vain (verse 35). God knows whether it is truly in our hearts to forgive someone (Jer. 17:9-10). Do not think you can deceive God about what is in your heart. He knows whether or not you have truly forgiven someone.

Your salvation is dependent on forgiving others from the heart. Read Luke 6:37 and Matt. 7:1-2. The same condemnation you dish out is the same condemnation you will receive. These verses show how essential it is for us to be merciful and forgiving. Without the mercy and forgiveness of God, none of us would be able to enter into eternal life. He has commanded us to forgive and to love one another as we love ourselves!

 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. ¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. ¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Rev. 22:12-14