While Jesus certainly taught us all about God’s love, mercy, and grace, some of the toughest words He spoke were about forgiveness … and the lack of forgiveness.
Matthew 6:12-15 NIV
“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Jesus included forgiveness in a very short example of how to talk to God, in what came to be known as The Lord’s Prayer. But then immediately following the prayer, He continued His teaching on forgiveness. It is important that we notice in verse 12 that Jesus says “Forgive us as we forgive.” Connecting that phrase to verses 14 and 15 communicates that God expects us to keep our slate clean and our list empty of what we hold against others. So He can then do the same for us. This does not mean that God is unable to forgive, but because He is God, He has a divine order for everything that He knows is always the best thing for us.
Staying free of bitterness and unforgiveness, along with being forgiven for our offenses, is the healthiest path for us all.
Do you have an “I will never forgive that person” list? An “I can never forgive that person” list? Sometimes it is only through God’s strength that we are able to forgive.
Think of that person as I personalize Jesus’ words from this passage again:
“And forgive me of my sins, as I have forgiven those who sin against me. And don’t let me yield to temptation, but rescue me from the evil one. “If I forgive those who sin against me, my heavenly Father will forgive me. But if I refuse to forgive others, my Father will not forgive my sins.” (Matthew 6:12-15 NIV)
We need to avoid the temptation to view Jesus’s words as harsh, but rather as what it takes for us to be our best and healthiest in the sight of God. Again, often on our strength alone it can feel impossible to take this very important step.
Ask your Father for the strength to forgive as you have been forgiven.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want to lay my list of people I can’t, or struggle to, forgive before You right now. I confess I battle with forgiving them. Father, I don’t want anything to come between my relationship with You, so please give me the strength and obedience to follow Your words—to release them and forgive them for good—just as You have forgiven me for my offenses and sins against You and others. As above, so below.”