The power of forgiveness

The power of forgiveness

Scripture:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Observation:

Straight after the Lord’s prayer, our Lord specially emphasizes the principle of forgiving to be forgiven. The teaching is clear and easily understood. If we forgive others for their sins against us, God our Father will also forgive us. If we don’t forgive, God also won’t forgive.

How do we reconcile this with the fundamental teaching on salvation in Scripture where all our sins are forgiven when we believe on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? What if a born again Christian still refuses to forgive another who sinned against him? Is he still forgiven? Or if he is unforgiven due to unforgiveness, is he then still saved?

In the letters of the Apostle Paul, he does not mention this principle of conditional forgiveness taught by our Lord here, although he does command the church in the book of Colossians to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13.

Later, the Lord explains further on this concept in the parable of the unmerciful servant, which enlightens us how small our sins against each other are compared to our great sin against our holy and mighty God.

Application:

Theologically, there is much to ponder concerning the issue of conditional forgiveness. However, on a practical level, we can conclude that as a Christian, we need to obey our Lord, and since our Lord emphasized the importance of forgiving others, that should be our goal, no matter how heinous or terrible the sins committed against us. On a human level, forgiveness may be impossible, but with God, all things are possible, and as we lean on Him, we realize that He gives us the power to forgive. In forgiving, we release not only our wrongdoers, but more importantly, we release ourselves from the jailhouse of unforgiveness. Only in forgiving can we be truly set free.

Prayer:

Bless this, Abba Father in Heaven, for Your great love for us. We acknowledge Lord that to forgive is Your will for us, and You certainly know what is best for us. Give me the strength to forgive O Lord, every single one who has hurt me, and did harm to me. Without You, O Lord, I have nothing, but in You, I have all I need. I forgive everyone who has hurt me in Jesus name. I release them in Jesus name. I pray for their salvation and restoration in Jesus name. I receive Your release O Lord, even in my mind, my soul and spirit. I am free because Your truth has set me free! I am free to forgive because You set me free. May Your name be praised forever, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.