Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB®)
“If you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.”
Jesus taught that God places great importance on forgiveness—the necessity of us asking for and receiving it from God and then giving it to others as a reflection of God’s mercy toward us. Sometimes, we don’t adequately appreciate God’s forgiveness because we greatly underestimate our own sins. We think, “Sure, Jesus took my sins upon Himself, but there weren’t that many. I’ve done some bad things, but they weren’t that bad. I’ve never robbed a bank or committed murder.” But entrance into God’s Kingdom isn’t like that. We don’t get in by convincing God we’re not really “that bad.” We are imperfect sinners faced with a pass/fail situation, and His standard is absolute holiness. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are forgiven. Our debt is paid in full. That is a gracious gift of God, and He expects us to value it and offer it to others.
THINK ABOUT IT
What past mistakes or offenses are you holding on to? Take a minute to ask the Lord to reveal anyone you need to forgive. Then, pray the prayer below, and release them into His care. When we choose to forgive, we find new freedom.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I choose to forgive _________ for ________________. Their actions made me feel ________________. I choose to release all resentment, bitterness, and rage. I relinquish my rights to seek revenge. I ask You to heal the brokenness within me, and I rejoice in my freedom from bitterness and anger. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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