The Lord's Prayer (The Model Prayer)نموونە

Forgiveness is a two-way street. We cannot simply receive it; we must also offer it to others. Jesus makes this clear in a couple of places in Scripture. After He finishes the Lord’s Prayer, He says, “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.”

Remember also the parable of the unforgiving slave in Matthew 18. The slave had been forgiven a great deal, but he failed to forgive another man who owed him a small amount. The master said, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?”

It is not that our forgiveness of others earns us God’s forgiveness. That would go against everything in Scripture. But without a doubt, being able to forgive others when they have done us wrong is a trait of a born-again believer. This is easier said than done. Often, we feel justified in holding our grudge. But God’s standard of forgiveness remains the same. Is there anyone that you are having trouble forgiving today? If so, pray for that person today, and seek the strength to forgive.

Go deeper: Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32