"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5, NASB).
How do we actually drop the charges against those that have offended us?
At the outset you have to understand that real forgiveness doesn't come naturally. It's actually the life of Jesus being extended through you.
Here are several steps towards freeing you from the chains of bitterness and unforgiveness:
Forgiveness is dropping the charges against those who have hurt you or offended you or insulted you or mocked you or abused you or ignored you or neglected you. This step is not optional.
I think the Lord knew we'd like to skip this step, that's why He taught us to pray: "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12, NASB).
Jesus gave His own divine commentary on this phrase a few verses later when He said, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus emphasized this teaching again to His disciples in Mark 11:25-26, "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions]" (NASB).
Is Jesus teaching that we earn forgiveness of our sins by forgiving others? Obviously, no, we are forgive wholly by Jesus' sacrifice for us and our faith in Him (Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7), but our forgiveness of others shows that we have received Jesus' forgiveness. It is the nature of God to forgive (Numbers 14:18), and we share His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4, NLT).
(Commentary Mark Martin)
How do we actually drop the charges against those that have offended us?
At the outset you have to understand that real forgiveness doesn't come naturally. It's actually the life of Jesus being extended through you.
Here are several steps towards freeing you from the chains of bitterness and unforgiveness:
Forgiveness is dropping the charges against those who have hurt you or offended you or insulted you or mocked you or abused you or ignored you or neglected you. This step is not optional.
I think the Lord knew we'd like to skip this step, that's why He taught us to pray: "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12, NASB).
Jesus gave His own divine commentary on this phrase a few verses later when He said, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus emphasized this teaching again to His disciples in Mark 11:25-26, "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions]" (NASB).
Is Jesus teaching that we earn forgiveness of our sins by forgiving others? Obviously, no, we are forgive wholly by Jesus' sacrifice for us and our faith in Him (Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7), but our forgiveness of others shows that we have received Jesus' forgiveness. It is the nature of God to forgive (Numbers 14:18), and we share His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4, NLT).
(Commentary Mark Martin)