Forgiving Others
Forgiving Others
1… and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. …and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Whether we use the word trespasses, debts, sins, or wrongs, they mean the same thing. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach us to pray, this was the example prayer for them. Forgiveness is very important, from man to God and from man to man! Forgiveness between man and God is the beginning of it all. For how can I truly forgive others if I myself have not been forgiven by God? 2When we repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins! This is where the “forgiveness lesson” from God begins. So in the above verse we are asking God to forgive us - as we forgive others. “In the way I forgive them God, I am asking you to forgive me.” Do you see how serious this so called Lord’s prayer is, just from the forgiveness aspect alone? Because of this prayer, if I will not forgive others, God cannot forgive me! Remember, that’s what we are asking - and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. In the way I forgive them, forgive me. Because of this verse, unforgiveness is more than sinful it may be “second death” sinful! So forgiving others is mandatory!
There are two types of forgiveness: The first type of forgiveness is totally for self-preservation reasons. It’s forgiving others whether they have asked for it or not - very important! Remember, they may never ask for forgiveness. Then why forgive them? Unforgiveness left to itself, always turns to bitterness. Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) says, “If I regard iniquity (or sin) in my heart, the Lord will not hear (me)". I don’t know about you, but I need God to hear me - He is my only hope. Part of Hebrews chapter 12 verse 15 says, “being careful not to fall short of the Grace of God, from any root of bitterness that springs up to cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” After becoming a Christian I read this verse about a “root of bitterness.” I put the Bible down, looked to Heaven and said, “A root of bitterness, I’ve got a Redwood tree of bitterness! God, how do I get rid of this?” You see, I had fertilized and watered the “root of bitterness” by harboring anger, resentment, and unforgiveness for years unknowingly. But little by little as I forgave others and repented of past hurts at the hands of others, peace began to fill my heart! We’re choosing to forgive because in God’s eyes it’s the only way to be set free from our own guilt of unforgiveness. Forgiveness is not a feeling or emotion, but a choice!
The second type of forgiveness is when the person actually apologizes and asks for forgiveness. Then you can tell them that you have forgiven them (because of the first type of forgiveness, above).
When we ask God to forgive us of our sin, He is not forgiving the sin - He is forgiving the sinner. The sin has just as much weight and death in it as ever. He is forgiving us for our willingness, with His help to change. 3“ For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again…” 4“And be ye kind to one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
1Matthew 6:12 (Paraphrase)
21 John 1:19 (Paraphrase)
3Proverbs 24:16 (Paraphrase)
4Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)