For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” –Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV). “and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors” – Matthew 6:12 (ESV) “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.” –Mark 11:25-26 (ESV).
A terrible weight to carry about in the heart is an unforgiving spirit, a grudge, a feeling of resentment, or ill will toward anyone. Various scriptures teach us the necessity for forgiveness in order to have soul health. The willingness to forgive and not to hold any malice in the heart was so important that Jesus taught us in what we call the Lord’s Prayer that we should ask for forgiveness when we pray: “and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Since most of us are aware of the Lord’s teachings, we often pray for forgiveness. We also hear the requests for forgiveness in public prayers. Are these vain repetitions that Jesus also warned against? He said, in Matthew 6:7: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words (Matthew 6:7, ESV). These repetitions are well and good if they come from a sincere and earnest heart. But let’s go a little deeper. Is there forgiveness of others on the part of the one praying? Is there genuine repentance of the sin of holding grudges and resentment toward someone? Is there a real turning loose of jealousies and animosities? If so, then praying for forgiveness is in keeping with the Lord’s teaching. We are forgiven by God if we are willing and able to forgive those whom we consider to have wronged us.
Then we often hear: “I can forgive (or I have forgiven) but I can’t forget.” Does this constant reminder of a wrong done to us, not forgetting it, allowing it to press in and smother, really mean that we have forgiven? If such a condition plagues your mind and prevents you from really being relieved of the burden that allows you the Father’s forgiveness, pray that He will remove the thoughts of the wrong from your mind. Pray that He will take away any harsh and wrong feelings, and replace them with profitable thoughts of reconciliation and forgiveness. At the close of the War Between the States, Abraham Lincoln was asked what he planned to do about all the enemies of the reunited nation. His wise reply was that he would seek to make friends of them. It is possible for us to have a forgiving spirit. It is a Christ-like characteristic, but one we must pursue sincerely and with humility. Jesus showed us the way. On the cross he prayed for those who were taking His life: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23: 34, ESV).
A terrible weight to carry about in the heart is an unforgiving spirit, a grudge, a feeling of resentment, or ill will toward anyone. Various scriptures teach us the necessity for forgiveness in order to have soul health. The willingness to forgive and not to hold any malice in the heart was so important that Jesus taught us in what we call the Lord’s Prayer that we should ask for forgiveness when we pray: “and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Since most of us are aware of the Lord’s teachings, we often pray for forgiveness. We also hear the requests for forgiveness in public prayers. Are these vain repetitions that Jesus also warned against? He said, in Matthew 6:7: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words (Matthew 6:7, ESV). These repetitions are well and good if they come from a sincere and earnest heart. But let’s go a little deeper. Is there forgiveness of others on the part of the one praying? Is there genuine repentance of the sin of holding grudges and resentment toward someone? Is there a real turning loose of jealousies and animosities? If so, then praying for forgiveness is in keeping with the Lord’s teaching. We are forgiven by God if we are willing and able to forgive those whom we consider to have wronged us.
Then we often hear: “I can forgive (or I have forgiven) but I can’t forget.” Does this constant reminder of a wrong done to us, not forgetting it, allowing it to press in and smother, really mean that we have forgiven? If such a condition plagues your mind and prevents you from really being relieved of the burden that allows you the Father’s forgiveness, pray that He will remove the thoughts of the wrong from your mind. Pray that He will take away any harsh and wrong feelings, and replace them with profitable thoughts of reconciliation and forgiveness. At the close of the War Between the States, Abraham Lincoln was asked what he planned to do about all the enemies of the reunited nation. His wise reply was that he would seek to make friends of them. It is possible for us to have a forgiving spirit. It is a Christ-like characteristic, but one we must pursue sincerely and with humility. Jesus showed us the way. On the cross he prayed for those who were taking His life: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23: 34, ESV).
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