“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:12, 14-15).
Forgiveness is not the natural way for a man to react. “I will forgive, but I won’t forget” seems to be the motto lived by so many. Perhaps this is why Jesus, early in his ministry, dealt with the subject of forgiveness in the “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus, giving an example of prayer for his disciples, said, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus gives this instruction because men will not be forgiven if they do not forgive. Jesus makes that point very clear: one who does not forgive will not be forgiven by God.
What Does It Mean to Forgive?
Many believe that forgiveness is merely a ceasing of hostile actions toward another. Often there is a willingness to place the one that committed a wrong on probation, but not a full restoration as if nothing ever happened. To truly understand forgiveness, we must see how God does it. When God forgives sin:
1. He pardons our sins. He removes the very thought of the transgression from Him (Heb. 10:17). An example of this is in Luke 15. The main character in this parable, the forgiving father, is a picture of God. The father receives the son who had sinned against him and was not worthy to be called his son. As the son returns to the father the text reads, “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:20-24).
2. He treats us just as if sin never happened. In Luke 15, the father forgave the son and restored him to the position he had left. The best robe was put on him; the ring was placed on his finger, and shoes on his feet. This son wanted to be a servant, but the father wanted him back as his son; with forgiveness, that is possible. Without a doubt, God is seen receiving us back into his love, favor, and fellowship unconditionally. God greatly loves us and patiently waits for us to repent so He can show us His great mercy.
Having a Heart of Forgiveness
Forgiving is a difficult thing to do, but we must learn to do so. We must develop a heart for forgiveness. When you examine the word “forgive,” you will see the word “give.” The word “give” is vital when it comes to having a heart of forgiveness. We must give before we can forgive.
We must give up pride, the delusion that we are always right, and always having our way. Until we can give up these things, we cannot forgive as we should. We may call it forgiveness, but there will always be expectations beyond the contrite heart that we will expect. We must learn that we cannot control the lives of people and everything around us. We must allow others to make choices in their lives and for their lives. We must let God control us and let the Word work through us and into the lives of those around us. The heart of forgiveness must always possess the willingness to forgive. Remember, Jesus taught his disciples not to forgive until “seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:22).
May we work to develop a heart that is tender and genuinely forgives as God forgives.