Forgive – verb, to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake; to pardon; absolve; excuse; forget. An antonym of forgive is, resent; blame.
To forgive someone is to not feel any anger or resentment towards someone for something they have done wrong.
Jesus teaches us to forgive. Remember the Lords prayer. “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us…” Luke 11:4.
Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Why do we need to be forgiven? In the Old Testament, when one sinned, God commanded a sacrifice to be made. But an animal sacrifice could not take away their sins, they only covered it for a time. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Heb 10:4.
In heaven, there is no sin. There is no murder, no lying, no covetnous, no evil thoughts, no disobedience. In order to enter into eternal life in heaven, we need to be forgiven, or purged, from any and all sin. Jesus came to earth and gave Himself to the world as the one true Sacrifice, so that all who come to Him to be forgiven, can enter into eternal life.
If we are to call ourselves Christians, we need to follow the teachings of Christ. We need to forgive. We need to show others the mercy that Jesus shows us each and every time that we sin or make a mistake. God’s forgiveness is available to all who come to Him and ask for it.
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The bible clearly warns those who do not show mercy and forgiveness to others. It says if you do not forgive others, then you will not be forgiven of your sins when you ask.
Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Read a parable that Jesus taught in Matthew 18:21-35.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Show love. Show mercy. Forgive one another. Because Christ commands us to.
In Christ, –Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 