FORGIVING OTHERS

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."- Matthew 6:14-15. It is made super clear in this verse that we are to forgive one another to BE forgiven. In the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Jesus tells about a man who is in debt of more than 200 thousand years in wages to this great king. The servant begs for mercy and the king shows it to him, releasing him of his obligation to pay this impossible price. As soon as this foolish servant is released, he goes out and finds one of his own servants, who owes him 100 DAYS worth of wages, and throws this man in prison until he is able to pay back his debt. Once the greater king heard of this, he confronts the foolish servant and throws him in prison to be tortured until he can pay him back the debt he nows owes again because of his hypocrisy. Jesus is the great king, and we are as the foolish servant when we refuse to forgive our neighbor. Jesus paid wages for us, because we could not have done it for ourselves. When we don't forgive our neighbor we tell Jesus that what they have done to us is worse than what we have done to Him. When we have bitterness and un-forgiveness in our hearts we hinder ourselves from being forgiven by the Father. In Mark 11:25 it says "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Forgiveness, however, is easier said than done. It sounds fun and easy until you actually have someone to forgive, thats when it gets difficult. But if you are spirit-led and you have Jesus as your Guide and Counselor, the forgiveness will come a whole lot easier. When you dwell on the fact that we have been forgiven by the creator of the whole universe, forgiving someone who has wronged you becomes second nature. In reality nobody deserves forgiveness from God, but He gives it freely, and when you think that someone in your life doesn't deserve forgiveness, just think about how much more YOU don't deserve it but how merciful our Lord is to us. To add to that, forgiveness gives you freedom. If you want to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18) then you must forgive with all your heart and be able to wish them well, no matter WHAT they have done to you. You cannot correctly forgive without Jesus' help, we are not able to do it by ourselves, so pray pray pray and He will surely help you if you trust Him.