Some people feel that God will never forgive their sins. They may even feel that God would never want them because of what they have done In the past. This though is not the way of God's thinking when it comes to forgiveness. David the Psalmist knew this when he stated this at Psalm 130:3 "If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand?" Yes God does forgive us of past errors and even if we should make a mistake and sin again, God will forgive us if we are truly sorry for that sin. We ask God to forgive us and try to not continue in the same course.
Jesus showed us how important it is to forgive. Notice. Matthew 9:11-13 " But on seeing this the Pharisees began to say to his disciples: "Why is it that YOUR teacher eats with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 Hearing [them], he said: "Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. 13 Go, then, and learn what this means, I want mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came to call, not righteous people, but sinners."
Remember the parable that Jesus gave about the prodigal son? This should show us the importance of forgiveness. There was a father with two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance and so he asked his father for it. His father gave the younger son his inheritance and so the younger son took his inheritance and went off and squandered his inheritance by living a debauched and sinful life. When he finally came to his senses, he repented and humbly returned home to his father, who, did not reject him but welcomed him with open arms. Luke 15:11-32.
Jesus' parables has some lessons for us today. What are they? One lesson I truly appreciate is that just as this father welcomed his son back after he went off and sinned, so too our Heavenly Father welcomes us back when we make mistakes and fall into sin. In reading that account we also learn that the son had to humble himself and show he made a mistake in order to have his father welcome him home and even throw a big feast for his returning son. So to we are welcomed home. Yes, God opens his loving and merciful arms to any of us who will humble themselves and ask for forgiveness. We have the scriptures as proof of God's forgiveness of our sins if we repent.
Luke 15:7 "I tell YOU that thus there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance."
(Jesus taught his disciples to pray for forgiveness when he gave the sermon on the Mount).
Matthew 6:12 "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Matthew 5:7 "Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy."
Ephesians 1:7 "By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of [our] trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness."
(Some may say though, "I am always forgiving them!" And so you should forgive many times over).
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came up and said to him: "Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him: "I say to you, not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times."
Wow, now that is a lot of forgiving and yet if we do not forgive other, God can not forgive us.
Matthew 18:35 "In like manner my heavenly Father will also deal with YOU if YOU do not forgive each one his brother from YOUR hearts."
Ephesians 4:32 "But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave YOU.
Yes friends our forgiveness shows God we love him and our neighbors. We can have empathy, compassion and forgiveness for others. Remember that if we forgive others, God will forgive us and show us mercy but most of all, if God can forgive us our bad ways, who are we not to forgive others?
Comments?
Take care,
Hope12
