FORGIVENESS
FORGIVENESS AS A VIRTUE
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[9]After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10]Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[11]Give us this day our daily bread.
[12]And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
[13]And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
[14]For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
[15]But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:9-15
Forgiveness is not just a Christian duty; it is a virtue that reflects the very nature of God. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus emphasized the connection between God’s forgiveness and our willingness to forgive others. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This shows that forgiveness is both received and given—it flows from God to us and through us to others.
As Christians, we often fall short and sin, but God, in His mercy, forgives us again and again. If we truly understand and appreciate the forgiveness we’ve received, it should inspire us to forgive those who offend us. Unforgiveness blocks our fellowship with God and hinders our prayers.
To be Christlike is to forgive. Holding on to grudges only hardens the heart and opens the door to bitterness. But when we forgive, we show love, grace, and maturity.
Key Takeaways:
- Forgiveness is a sign of true Christian character.
- We must forgive if we want to be forgiven (Matt. 6:15).
- God’s mercy towards us should be our model for mercy towards others.
- Forgiveness brings peace, healing, and freedom to the soul.
Let us forgive, not because others always deserve it, but because we are forgiven by God.