Forgive Those Who Hurt You

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

WHILE JESUS OFFERS us all total forgiveness for past, present, and future sins if we trust his death on the cross, the practical matters of living in this world—making mistakes, sinning against others, and our sinning against them—are issues that have to be dealt with day by day. In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, does Jesus mean that God’s forgiveness is contingent on our forgiving others? Does he mean that when we stand before him, he will bring up grudges, hatreds, and other things we may not have dealt with?

It’s a tricky question, but the thrust of Jesus’ sermon is how his Kingdom operates in the real, “today” world. Thus, he is not referring to our eternal and full forgiveness that comes at salvation, but he speaks specifically of our failing to forgive people who have sinned against us. Holding a grudge, breaking a relationship, condemning others, and refusing to grant forgiveness and reconciliation are serious sins. While God will not take away our salvation, he will not let us experience the joy and hope of our salvation when we refuse to forgive.

It’s really a simple matter. Are there people in your life whom you need to forgive? To extend a peacemaking hand to? To reconcile with? If so, get the problem fixed and over with today. God will not give you the joy of salvation without it.