Matthew, in chapter six beginning with verse nine, reports Jesus’ response to the disciples when they asked guidance for how to pray. This is not as strange of a question as it seems. They were accustomed to ritualistic prayer. Most certainly, they were not accustomed to thinking of God as a Heavenly Father. Jesus instructed them by the words that we call the Lord’s prayer that is actually the disciples’ prayer that he encouraged us to incorporate into our spiritual lives.
The text draws a conclusion that most people probably had not experienced forgiveness as Jesus intended to be understood. For instance, a person needed to be in the military to understand military terms. The Jewish people relying on the leadership of the hypocritical Pharisees. The people were blind as to their relationship with God as he intended it. We must point out that Jesus did not intend us to believe that forgiveness was a reward for being a good person. The opposite was true. The person who recognized the depth of his spiritual lacking needed forgiveness.
What happens when a person does not forgive? Of course, it is uncharacteristic of our profession as believers and the nature of our Lord. The idea of forgiveness bears with the mental picture of the offense being dismissed far away. It involves a transaction between two people. Therefore, a lack of forgiveness withholds the power and ability to solve a problem. It may not actually be a question of forgiveness but of anger, resentment, and rejection that festers in the heart of the person who will not forgive. This is diametrically opposite of the nature of God. God holds no grudges against us. He does hold a grudge against sin and Satan. His desire is that all of us be rescued from our offending position.
What does it mean to forgive or what is the work of forgiveness? There are two aspects of forgiveness. It is presumed that the offending party seeks forgiveness. However, this is not always the case. The second aspect of forgiveness is that the one who is offended holds the opportunity to be ready to forgive regardless of what the offending person does. This means that the offense and the forgiveness are not diametrically connected. The person that is offended should be in a spiritual and mental state of forgiveness regardless of whether it is requested or not. This is what happened on the cross when Jesus died for our sins. God has been ready and willing to forgive all of humanity, but humanity must request it. When forgiveness occurs, it must settle the matter and not allow any eroding effects to continue. When forgiveness is realized, it opens the door for potential in the future of an improved relationship with opportunities in that relationship. This is certainly an indication of personal growth.
When Jesus encouraged us to forgive our debtors, it is a reminder of God’s forgiveness. We are the offending party whether we want to recognize it or not. Until we ask God, the debt remains as a blotch on our soul. In so many ways that are not able to be counted all of us are offending parties to God. We do have the power to make the difference by responding to his invitation. God wants to have us realize his forgiveness. He wants a proper relationship established between us and him. He has no desire to reject anyone or for anyone to go to hell with the lack of forgiveness established individually in their lives. In God’s mind forgiveness is an established fact. But we must receive it, request it, be willing to apply a new life of forgiveness with the new direction of our thoughts and our behavior. How sad it is that so many people will go to hell with the potential of their sins forgiven because they never realized or applied God’s forgiveness.
By us having a hostile attitude toward others by not being willing to forgive them whether they request it or not, there is a corrosive effect that takes place within the person who will not forgive. It affects a relationship with God and with others. This is why it is so important that we forgive the debtor in the same way that God is willing to forgive us.
Christian Writer 