FORGIVENESS
FORGIVENESS
Many of us probably have a lot to say about forgiveness. Perhaps you were wronged and had been having a hard time forgiving that person. Or maybe you were the one that hurt someone, and they are having a hard time forgiving you. No matter what state we may currently find ourselves in, we should know that in life we will be or may have already been in both boats. Sometimes we’re in both boats at the same time. We should understand that it is important to forgive as we will want someone to forgive us and yes, we will want someone else’s forgiveness at some point in life. Well, what does the bible tell us about forgiveness?
Let’s look at
Matthew 6:9-15 (From the Lord’s Prayer)
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We see in verse 14 that if we forgive people, God will forgive us. However, in verse 15 we also see that if we don’t forgive people, then we are not forgiven. There is expectation for us to forgive because of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. Let’s look at John 3: 16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Philippians 2:8 tells us: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
WHAT ARE OTHER REASONS THAT WE SHOULD FORGIVE?
Because the bible says that we are supposed to forgive. Jesus is our perfect role model.
Another reason to forgive is so our prayers can be answered. Our prayers can be hindered when we don’t forgive.
Mark 11:25
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 86:5
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD WE FORGIVE SOMEONE?
We find that answer in Matthew 18:21-35.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
SOMETIMES WE MAY BE TEMPTED NOT TO FORGIVE…
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
WE WANT TO HAVE A SOBER MIND CONCERNING OUR OWN FAULTS IN RELATION TO HOW WE TREAT OTHER PEOPLE.
1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 2:12
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.
Colossians 3:13
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
Please click the link below to hear the Anchor Podcast Forgiveness episode:
