Forgiveness, by Aije Barnes September 2 issue 1 Vol 4

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ KJV)

Of all the words Jesus taught us to pray in what we know as 'the Lord's Prayer', the only aspect He elaborated on straight after he taught it, was on forgiveness. 

 

Jesus said:

 

'For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14-15‬ KJV)'

 

And again:

 

'And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭25-26‬ KJV)'

 

Remember the parable Jesus gave on this all important topic when Peter asked him how many times he should forgive. Here it is again:

 

'Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭21-35‬ KJV)'. 

 

Unforgiving your fellow person hinders your prayers and in some cases causes you illness and puts you and your family into the hands the hands of tormentors. It most certainly steals your joy and peace if mind. Who wants all of this all for the sake of refusing to forgive the one who has offended you? 

 

Each time you pray the Lord's Prayer  and say these words 'forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us' you are putting yourself on the spot to either receive the same forgiveness you have given or have forgiveness withheld from you and the consequences of this. 

 

The psalmist says:

'Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (‭Psalm‬ ‭32‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)'

 

You can only receive this blessing if you forgive all how have offended you just as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you. If you don't forgive, God will withdraw His forgiveness from you and hand you over to the tormentors just as Jesus said in the parable above. 

 

If you find forgiving hard, ask God to help you to forgive the way He has forgiven you. No matter how hard it may be, choose to forgive. Speak the person's or people's names and say, I forgive you. Think of good things about them and pray for them. Love them. Ask yourself what would Jesus do? And do what He would do. 

 

Forgiveness releases you to receive God's forgiveness and blessings.

 

Shalom