FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER (part 1)

Rev. Carter Moore, The Church Triumphant of Columbus

KEY VERSE ~ MATTHEW 18:35

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (KJV)

FOCUS ~ The importance of forgiveness is far underrated. Jesus was very stern about this to people who refused to forgive. It has been said that more people leave the church because of offense than any other reason. An individual who will not forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them. When we forgive another, we are free; to not forgive is to be tied to that person by their offense. Forgive, and live!

To FORGIVE is to forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go), omit, send away, remit, and yield.

How wonderful it is to be able to forgive from the heart! The word “heart” in this particular setting of scriptures refers to the mind or thought - to be able to forgive and forget.

Too often, we say we are willing to forgive, but then hold past mistakes of others as leverage against them, holding a grudge and being unwilling to give that individual another chance. This is not true forgiveness.

The Bible does not speak of “unforgiveness” (nor is it even a word in the English language), but it does speak of bitterness. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (KJV)

If we fail to forgive, it will cause us to live a miserable life, ultimately destroying our own soul.

Let’s look at the Lord’s Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-15.

In verse 12, Jesus said we should pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” The phrase “as we” means that we should forgive “in the same way.”
Verses 14 and 15 gives us the reason why it vital for us to forgive. “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.” (KJV) As you can see, it is just as beneficial for us to forgive as it is for the one seeking to be forgiven.

The apostle Paul urges the Church at Corinth to be forgiving so that Satan won’t have an advantage over them. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

If you find it hard to forgive someone from your heart, ask the great Forgiver, Jesus Christ, to help you. Remember, no one was treated as unfairly as Jesus was, and yet, He is willing to forgive all who ask.

Additional scriptures to study

Mark 11:25, 26

Luke 11:4

Luke 17:3, 4

Ephesians 4:32

Colossians 3:13