Forgiving Others is Essential
Many people, even believers, believe that they are justified in not forgiving other people who have treated them badly. In fact, I have heard Christians say they can't forgive others, so they do not even try. That is a terrible sin for several reasons. Jesus made it plain in His teaching. (Mark 11:25,26) Please, hear what the Lord says and do it.
Jesus said that if we have anything against anyone, we must forgive them. We must release them from any debt we feel they owe us, and we must love them as we love everyone else. If we fail to do this, God can't forgive us our sins. When we come to Christ, we repent of all of our sins, of which unforgiveness is one of them. We turn from it, and we commit to go God's way, so that we forgive as Jesus does. Then, once we are saved, we are to not allow sins to block our relationship with God, so that we confess those sins, so we can be cleansed and restored in our relationship. Unforgiveness is one of the main sins that we must confess. It is very hypocritical for us to desire to be forgiven of all of our sins, if we will not forgive others.
Also, when we harbor a grudge or unforgiveness against someone, we don't hurt them, but ourselves. That sin keeps us from God while they go on their way, not even caring that we do not forgive them. Or even worse, they know we are a believer who won't forgive, which is a very bad testimony.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 12-14.
Jesus said that if we have anything against anyone, we must forgive them. We must release them from any debt we feel they owe us, and we must love them as we love everyone else. If we fail to do this, God can't forgive us our sins. When we come to Christ, we repent of all of our sins, of which unforgiveness is one of them. We turn from it, and we commit to go God's way, so that we forgive as Jesus does. Then, once we are saved, we are to not allow sins to block our relationship with God, so that we confess those sins, so we can be cleansed and restored in our relationship. Unforgiveness is one of the main sins that we must confess. It is very hypocritical for us to desire to be forgiven of all of our sins, if we will not forgive others.
Also, when we harbor a grudge or unforgiveness against someone, we don't hurt them, but ourselves. That sin keeps us from God while they go on their way, not even caring that we do not forgive them. Or even worse, they know we are a believer who won't forgive, which is a very bad testimony.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 12-14.