Forgiving Others

Jesus: ⁹ Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your Name be kept holy (hallowed, honored, respected). ¹⁰ May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us today (daily) the food (bread) we need, ¹² and forgive us our sins (debts), as we have forgiven those who sin (trespassed) against us. ¹³ And do not let us yield to temptation (and testing) but rescue us from the evil one (all evil and sinfulness).

¹⁴ If you forgive those who sin (trespasses) against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins (trespasses). Matthew 6:9-15 (NLT)

The living and true God, who is our heavenly Father and the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, sees EVERYTHING – the good, the bad, and the ugly (Matthew 6:1, 4, 6, 18; see also Jeremiah 17:10; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 4:13). The God of heaven and earth sees and knows all – even our secret thoughts and motives (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 33:13-15; Proverbs 5:21; Jeremiah 16:17; Jeremiah 23:24; Daniel 2:22). Because the living God sees and knows EVERYTHING, He cares for and loves you (see Matthew 6:30, 32; John 3:16). Even more, the living and true God of heaven and His Son Jesus want to bless and reward all your good deeds, obedience, and efforts for Him and for others (Matthew 6:1-2, 4-6; see also Matthew 16:27; Colossians 3:23-25). One of the best deeds you can do is to forgive others who have hurt and harmed you!

In Jesus Christ’s greatest teaching, He teaches that Him and His Father, the true and living God (Yahweh, LORD), graciously and freely forgives your sins and trespasses when we seek God’s forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; e.g., see also Psalm 32:5; Psalm 103:3; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31; Acts 13:38; 1 John 1:9). Truly, the living God’s mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness are renewed every day when we turn from sin and wholeheartedly seek His forgiveness and mercy (e.g., see Exodus 34:6; Psalm 36:5; Psalm 103:7, 17; Isaiah 26:9; Lamentations 3:22-23, 25). Part of the LORD God’s Name is forgiveness (see Exodus 34:5-7). The living God is filled with unending and eternal love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience (e.g., see Exodus 34:5-7; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 111:4; Joel 2:13). Even more, the living God graciously forgives your wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin when you repent and seek His forgiveness (e.g., Psalm 78:38; Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 43:25; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 1:9).

In turn, the living God expects His people to imitate His eternal love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience towards others (e.g., see Luke 6:36; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:1-2; James 5:11). Because the living God graciously and mercifully forgives your overwhelming sins, Jesus teaches you must equally and generously forgive everyone and anyone who sin against and harm us (Matthew 6:12, 14; see also; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 6:36). The Lord Jesus Christ teaches He wants God’s people to be merciful and kind towards others, even your enemies (Matthew 5:7; see also Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-13; 1 John 4:11). In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ COMMANDS your endless mercy, love, and forgiveness towards others, even those who have hurt and harmed you (Matthew 18:21-22; see also Matthew 5:44-45; Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Matthew 22:39; Luke 17:3-4; John 13:34-35; John 15:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 John 4:11). Forgiveness is part of the living God’s will (see Matthew 6:10). Specifically, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches that those who have received God’s forgiveness must also equally forgive others who have hurt and sinned against you (e.g., see Matthew 18:21-35).  Those who have genuinely repented of their sins and accepted God’s forgiveness will also genuinely forgive others! The living God, our Father and the Father of Jesus Christ, is merciful, forgiving, and kind to both the righteous and unrighteous, the good and the wicked (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Luke 6:35). Therefore, the living God wants His people to follow His heavenly example and reproduce mercy, forgiveness, and goodness towards others, even your enemy (e.g., see Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27, 36; Romans 12:20-21; Ephesians 5:1-2; James 3:17; James 5:11).

In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches that before you even bring your gifts, worship, and prayers to Him and His Father, you must seek mercy, compassion, and forgiveness from your heart towards your enemies FIRST (Matthew 5:23-26; see also Mark 11:25). Even if you are own your way to court against your enemy, Jesus teaches to seek reconciliation and a settlement quickly with your enemy (Matthew 5:25-26; see also Proverbs 25:8; Luke 12:58-59; Romans 12:18). As the Lord Jesus Christ teaches, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13; see also Hosea 6;6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 23:23). The living God wants His people to be kind and merciful to everyone, including your enemies (e.g., see Leviticus 19:18; Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:9-10).

True forgiveness means letting go and giving up ALL resentment, hatred, bitterness, rage, and anger against your offenders (see also Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-13).  Even more, true forgiveness of others also means not yielding to the temptation and testing to seek revenge, payback, and retaliation against your trespassers, enemies, and offenders (Matthew 6:13; see also Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:39). In other words, you must resist and flee temptation to do evil for evil, insult for insult, and an eye for an eye (e.g., see Zechariah 7:9-10; Romans 12:17, 19; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9). Sadly, the evil one wants you to “take matters into your own hands” and seek revenge against your enemies (e.g., see Proverbs 24:29). The living God NEVER wants you to do personal wrong and harm others nor seek evil for evil (e.g., see Matthew 5:38-41; James 1:13; 1 Peter 3:9).

More importantly, the Holy Scriptures teach that you are to pray and ask God to keep you from such evil temptation to seek revenge and retaliation against evildoers (e.g., see Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40, 46; 1 Corinthians 13). Instead, the Holy Scriptures teach everyone to patiently wait for the all-powerful and all-knowing God in His righteous anger to handle such harm and hurt against you (see Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:19). The living God, who is the Judge and King of the world, punishes the unrighteous and wick for evil and harm done to Him and towards others (e.g., see Psalm 37:33; Psalm 109:31; James 5:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 2 Peter 2:9-10). The living God is merciful and forgiving, but He will NOT let the guilty go unpunished for their sin and wickedness (e.g., Exodus 34:7; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:3).

Mistakenly, some people believe the Old Testament allows personal vengeance. Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament NEVER allowed for personal and private vengeance, retaliation, and grudges without the establishment of guilt or innocence by a court of law (e.g., see also Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21). From the very beginning, the living God instructed His people “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself” (see Leviticus 19:18, NIV2011). By taking personal vengeance into one’s own hands, one could wrongfully kill an innocent person. From a personal standpoint, everyone must return good for evil, love for hatred, and forgiveness for offenses and hurt (see Romans 12:9-16, 21; 1 Peter 2:11-25), and NEVER “evil for evil” (e.g., see Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29; Matthew 5:39, 44; Matthew 14:19; Romans 12:17, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:21). For the Holy Scriptures are very clear, the living God is Judge, and He and His Son Jesus will punish all sins and wrongdoing (e.g., see Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 94:1-2; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30)!

So instead of anger and revenge, the Holy Scriptures teach that you must pray and love your enemies and do good to those who hurt and harm you (Matthew 5:44; see also Exodus 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Proverbs 25:21-22; Zechariah 8:17; Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:14, 20). Goodness always conquers evil (e.g., see Romans 12:21; Galatians 6:10). Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches that you are not to judge, criticize, nor condemn your enemies (e.g., see Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37; Romans 14:13; 1 Peter 3:9). Besides, even when He was unjustly arrested and crucified, the Lord Jesus Christ did not retaliate against His enemies but willingly forgave His enemies and prayed for His accusers (Luke 23:34; see also Isaiah 53:7, 12; Luke 6:29, 35; Acts 7:60; 1 Peter 2:21-23). The Lord Jesus Christ faithful entrusted Himself to His Father – the living Lord God Almighty – who always judges and punishes the unjust and wicked (see 1 Peter 2:23). Therefore, God’s faithful people are to follow the humble example of the Lord Jesus Christ and forgive others (see 1 Peter 2:21).

Besides, your mercy and forgiveness toward others, including your enemies, bring your personal healing, freedom, and happiness as well as God’s blessings and reward (e.g., see Proverbs 11:17; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 6:27, 35-36; John 8:31-32, 34-36; 1 Peter 3:9-10). Unforgiveness is a sin, and unforgiveness eventually lead to bondage and slavery (see John 8:34). The world’s worst prison is the prison of an unforgiving heart. If you refuse to forgive others, then you are only imprisoning ourselves and causing your torment.

Yet obedience to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ brings the Presence and power of God into your life (e.g., see 2 John 1:9). Even more with such mercy and forgiveness, Jesus Christ teaches you will also equally receive forgiveness and mercy from Him and His heavenly Father – the living LORD God Almighty (Matthew 6:14; see also Luke 6:37-38; Matthew 18:35). For the eyes of the LORD God are always on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer (1 Peter 3:12; see also Psalm 34:12-15). However, the living God is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12; see also Psalm 34:16).

Nevertheless, if you are judgmental and negative of others, you will also receive judgment and criticism – the measure you give is the measure you receive (see Luke 6:37-38). Furthermore, continued bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness lead to your destruction and bondage (e.g., see James 2:13). If you refuse to genuinely forgive others from your heart who have hurt and harmed you, then your heavenly Father will not graciously forgive your sins and hurt against Him and His Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:15; see also Mark 11:25). For there will be no mercy from the living God to those who have shown no mercy towards others (e.g., see Mark 11:25-26; James 2:13). But if you have been merciful and forgiving towards others, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over His judgment against you (e.g., see Matthew 5:7; Matthew 9:13; James 2:13). Therefore, you should be willing to liberally and generously forgive others who hurt and harm you (see Luke 6:37-38).

Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ calls God’s people to seek peace and goodness towards all people, including your enemies, and not evil (Matthew 5:9; see also 1 Peter 3:10-11). The living God blesses peacemakers with His rich goodness, and they are called children of God (Matthew 5:9; see also Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 6:35; James 3:18). Even if God’s people suffer for doing good, the living God will bless and protect you (Matthew 5:10; see also 1 Peter 3:14, 17).