Scripture to Read: Matthew 6:12, 14–15
Jesus dealt with forgiveness in the model prayer as well. Jesus said in Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Then, Jesus took the issue of forgiveness one step further in Matthew 6:14–15, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” It’s hard for us to imagine our Heavenly Father forgiving us in the same way we forgive others. So, let’s take a look at a few other passages. God’s Word is clear in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Let’s also read Colossians 3:13, “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” The standard of forgiveness is clear: we are to forgive in the same way our Heavenly Father has forgiven us through our Lord Jesus Christ. God has forgiven us completely and wants us to do the same. If we’ve truly been born again, we’ll forgive the same way we’ve been forgiven. But if we are playing church and claim to know Jesus but have never been transformed by Him, then we’ll never be able to forgive others as He has commanded. Only through a surrendered life to Christ and an understanding of His incredible gift of forgiveness are we able to give that forgiveness to others.
Challenge & Application
· What did God teach you today about how to forgive others?
· How have you applied this forgiveness to others, knowing all that God has forgiven you of?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!