Forgiveness

What is the one thing everyone wants (when they realize they need it), but few want to give?

Forgiveness. Nothing is more foreign to sinful human nature. And nothing is more characteristic of divine grace.

Matthew 6:7–15 ESV

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We Need Forgiveness!

Matthew 6:12 ESV

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke c) Model Prayer (6:9–13)

“Once our eyes have been opened to see the enormity of our offense against God, the injuries which others have done to us appear by comparison extremely trifling. If, on the other hand, we have an exaggerated view of the offenses of others, it proves that we have minimized our own” John Stott

We Are Given Opportunity!

Matthew 6:13 ESV

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Forgiveness is when it did happen, and it did matter, and you’re going to deal with it and end up loving and accepting one another again anyway. That’s why the sequence recommended here is vital.

We Must Forgive!

Matthew 6:14–15 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Nothing causes us to so nearly resemble God as the forgiveness of injuries.

John Chrysostom

Forgiveness is not an occasional art, it is a permanent attitude.

Walking Away, But In...

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