During His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught His listeners how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Verse 12 says, “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This must have been a new concept because Jesus decided to explain this phrase and underscore a critical principle for anyone who would follow Him.
Consider verses 14 and 15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Obviously God expects His followers to be forgiving people. Could it be expressed in any stronger terms?
During Christ’s final week before His crucifixion, He underscores this concept to His disciples. He says, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25&26.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Brethren, we must forgive others in order to receive forgiveness and forgiveness is crucial for our salvation. This year our theme is “Consider One Another.” Obviously, we need to forgive our fellow Christians of their trespasses. However, notice that Jesus doesn’t restrict this forgiveness to only fellow believers.
I believe everyone finds it hard to forgive others, but it is a distinct characteristic of Christians and not optional. As we close out this year’s Thanksgiving weekend, let us consider our situation and our salvation. Are we harboring ill feelings against others for what they did or said to us? Have we said and done things to others that were not Christ-like? We should be quick to forgive others and seek forgiveness from those we have wronged.
For the elders,
Dave Benner