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Matthew 6:14-15
Immediately after teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus makes this statement, “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” (Matthew 6:14-15, NKJV). Jesus did mention forgiveness in the prayer that He taught His disciples to pray to His Father in heaven (Matthew 6:12), but He then goes on to mention temptation and being delivered from it. Jesus then ends the prayer by proclaiming the kingdom and the power and the glory be to God Almighty forever (Matthew 6:13).
So we must ask, “Why does Jesus then immediately return to an almost pick-up of forgiveness, as if in mid-sentence?” The reason is because forgiveness is the key to it all. The attitude of forgiveness is the message of Christ Jesus. Having a heart of forgiveness is the heart of a Christian. Having a heart of forgiveness is the heart of Christ Jesus.
This is a command, example, and promise of receiving forgiveness for being forgiving.
Jesus brought forgiveness into this sinful world. He spent several years teaching how we should implement this new way into our lives before He went to the cross to validate His teachings. He wanted to make sure that He provided the instructions for us to follow after He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). He came to bring forgiveness to us who put our faith in Him, but in doing so, we are also to be a reflection of Him today. Just before He was taken up (ascended to heaven, Acts 1:9-11), He gave a command to His disciples which holds true for the followers of Christ today. He said in Acts 1:8 (NKJV), “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” As we are His witnesses today, we must reflect His attitude toward others in forgiveness. We must adhere to His teaching as He sums it all up in Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV), “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Deuteronomy 6:5). This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18). All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that our faith in You is all based on forgiveness and having a heart that reflects forgiveness to others. You forgave us and set us free from the power of sin. Please help us to be forgiving of others so that they can see Your great love at work in us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.