To Forgive is one of the hardest things we can learn. But learn it we must. Do it we must because we’ve been commanded to do so and are supposed to be asking God to help us do so. But first, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for these Words, even if they’re really quite difficult to actually do. Mostly I am thankful for the encouragement You provided and the assistance of the extra words in the amplified version. Lord, lead, on this most crucial lesson of what being Yours entails. All glory to You, Lord.
Please read Matthew 6:12-15
This is in the prayer Jesus tells us to pray:
Forgive
12 “‘And forgive us our [g]debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
13 ‘And do not [h]lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [i]evil. [j][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’
14 For if you forgive [k]others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.”
Study…
The bracketed text in the Amplified Bible is why I read it. So let’s see if we can really understand what this all means.
Let go of the wrong. Do not hold onto resentment for other’s sins or moral failures.
Testing is something we go through. But God never tempts. This is a plea to be lead away from all types of situations where we are vulnerable and have the opportunity to sin.
Because, not doing this and instead, nurturing your hurt and anger will result in taking you away from God. You won’t be forgiven. So pray for the ability to forgive. Pray for the strength to forgive. Every single day, every moment of every day offers an opportunity to forgive. Pray for God to help if you need to. Let all the pain and reckless willful sins against you go. Not only will you be happier, but you will keep your relationship to God.
It’s always about faith. Grow your faith.
Footnotes:
[g] Matthew 6:12 debts – I.e. sins, moral failures.
[h] Matthew 6:13 lead – I.e. lead us away from situations where we are vulnerable and have the opportunity to sin. God does not tempt man (see James 1:13) but does allow man to be tested.[i] Matthew 6:13 evil – Or the evil one.
[j] Matthew 6:13 For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. – This clause is not found in early mss.
[k] Matthew 6:14 others – Gr anthropoi.