The Power of Forgiveness!!!
Our Father who is in heaven, “forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matt 6:12)…sound familiar? Really think about what this says for a moment…
First and foremost, ALL sin is committed against the Lord Himself, as David says, “Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight” (Psa 51:4a). So repenting to God after sinning is ALWAYS necessary (1 John 1:6-10).
From a person-to-person perspective, just as God does not make His promise to pardon people unless they repent (Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38), nor can we complete the forgiveness process unless a person admits their sin(s) against us and repents. Also, the transaction of forgiveness is conditional, in so far as that we can only be fully reconciled to those who repent. God’s Word plainly says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov 28:13).
Luke 17:3 says that our responsibility to those who sin against us is to confront them (if they do not confess and repent on their own): “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” In Matthew 18:15 it states, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.” If a person recognizes their sin and repents, we can be reconciled to them, and most importantly, he or she is reconciled to God (1 John 1:6-10)…praise Him! True children of God are supposed to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). The Bible clearly states we are to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt 6:14).
When we grant forgiveness for a sin, we are promising that we will “not remember” the sin any longer (as God does: Jer 31:34; Psa 103:12). Practically speaking, the forgiver is committing to these statements:
- “I will not remind you of this sin.”
- “I will not mention the sin to anyone else (unless it would be mutually agreed upon that it was for 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 type purposes).”
- “I will not allow my mind to dwell on the sin.”
The Scriptures instruct us to forgive. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matt 5:7). Therefore, forgiveness is a matter of obedience – rather than feeling. Additionally, it is a sin for us to break our promise to forgive after we have already forgiven (Num 30:2). We need to keep our commitment to forgive regardless of how we feel.
“And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” (Mark 11:25)
Forgive others not because they deserve it, but because God commands it, and in order for you to have true peace (a fruit of the Spirit: Gal 5:22-23)!