Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
Dan 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.
Mat 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
The scriptures above indicate clearly the important role of forgiveness in our relationships with God and fellow human beings.
Only God has the sovereign power to forgive and there is forgiveness with Him that He may be feared.
His divine ability to forgive brings Him wholesome and reverent worship which endears Him to the hearts of grateful humans who truly understand that their salvation is only in the forgiveness of sins through The blood of Jesus Christ.
Without forgiveness, the sins of the whole world would never have been atoned nor cleansed. Everyone would have fallen under judgment from God. Therefore, the efficacy of The Blood of Jesus can never diminish nor be overemphasised.
The word ‘ forgive’ means to pardon or waive any negative feeling or desire for punishment.
Looking at the very essence of this divine and loving character of God, we cannot but appreciate why He wants us to be like Him.
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ outlined the key factors of our daily prayer to God when asked how to pray by the disciples. He stated that the forgiveness we receive from God is commensurate to what we give out to our fellow humans who offend us. It is definitely not in vain that He taught that.
Asking God for the forgiveness of sins (debts) just as we forgive those who trespass against us signifies that we acknowledge that it is only by His divine Grace and mercy, all our misdeeds are forgiven thus, we willingly accommodate the faults of others as we expect same from God. This also symbolizes humility to the Sovereignity of God over all.
Please note, a person who cannot even acknowledge his sins, cannot ask God for forgiveness.
When a normal person deliberately or indeliberately commits any wrongdoing he or she carries a weight of guilt on his or her mind (conscience). If the act continues without divine intervention from God, he or she begins to sink and finally drown under the unbearable burden of guilt.
Note: It is Satan’s job to multiply the burden through his accusations (he is the accuser of the brethren) but Our Father’s great pleasure to ease or completely take it away, when we ask for His forgiveness and help.
The weight can only be removed through the forgiveness through The blood of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, the individual may not experience the gift of God’s forgiveness if he or she does not forgive others their trespasses.
It is therefore impossible for forgiveness to be meted out to an unforgiving person and for The Holy Spirit to dwell in such a person.
In fact, Brother Paul advised that such person or people should be avoided in 2 Timothy 3:3.
In the times we are living in, there is so much unforgiveness and Satan is taking advantage of this subtle and evil end time sign to unleash great terror on the world. Therefore, it is our responsibility as believers, to call the attention of everyone to it.
*If you do not forgive others, your sins will not be forgiven either.
Shalom
