Tag: #forgiveness

Let’s talk about Matthew 6: 14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

I want to bring some clarity to this verse because I have heard it preached on and taught about in a way that, simply put, makes Jesus’ crucifixion in vain. I want to start this out by saying

UNFORGIVNESS WILL NOT TAKE YOUR SALVATION AWAY!!

You know how I know this to be true… because Jesus Christ bore all that unimaginable beating and was crucified on the cross for ALL sins!

But let me back up because I never want anyone to just take my word for it. I will add scripture references. Unforgiveness can be an issue and will cause a hardening of your heart and possibly cause you to miss out on some earthly things God has in store for you. However, unforgiveness will not take your salvation away. When someone accepts the FREE GIFT OF SALVATION through Jesus Christ, all their past, present and future sins (including the sin of unforgiveness) are washed away! Hebrews 10:10 says “Our sins are washed away and we are made clean because Christ gave His own body as a gift to God. He did this once for all time.”

It is very important when reading your bible to keep it in context. My greatest advice on understanding scripture is

#1 Pray for understanding before reading and

#2 Context, Context, Context!!

Yes, Matt. 6: 14-15 was said by Jesus Christ, but to put it in context this was said BEFORE THE CROSS! Jesus was teaching about forgiveness to the Jews, (in this passage to His disciples), who were trying to gain God’s approval through fulfilling the Law. A lot of Jewish people believed that strictly adhering to the Law with their behavior was enough to earn forgiveness from God. But Jesus revealed to them that despite their efforts, they did not measure up. In Romans 3:23 – 24 we learn that we all fall short, but praise God for the redemption of sin that came by Jesus Christ! “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” He was preparing them to receive Him as their Lord after He paid the price for their sins on the cross. Matthew 15:24 “He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

After the Cross

In Acts 4:12 and 1 John 2:12, we can see a very important difference in what Jesus is speaking to us now AFTER THE CROSS. WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN! JESUS HAS ALREADY PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR SINS! We do not forgive others so that God will forgive us. We CANNOT EARN our forgiveness. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9. Today, we forgive others because we have been forgiven!

PRAISE GOD!!