From The Back Pew XII (Part 2 of 3)

God’s word promises in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…..”

Even though it’s somewhat of a mystery, God not only forgives, but in fact “blots out” and forget the sins of His children.

Friends there is a hard part in this passage, at least for most of us “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

The word “forgive” here means to bestow favor unconditionally. As Christ “forgave” you, so you must do!

God wants us to forgive those who have wronged us the same way Christ has forgiven us - no matter how bad that wrong has been. But God, we cry out, how can I forgive that person - you don’t know what they have done to me!

Yes, He does - and He still wants you to forgive them “just like Christ forgave you.”

Friends, I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t always come easy for me. I some how want them to pay for what they’ve done…. Yet, a true Christian will always treat the offending party graciously! ALWAYS!

In Matthew 18: 21-22 Peter asks Jesus how often should I forgive people? Up to seven times? Jesus said, ‘Not up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Now Jesus in this passage is not telling Peter that once you forgive your brother 490 times you can treat him anyway you want. Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a starting line for “digging up bones.” He says we must forgive - without limit!

Dare I be so bold as to point something else out…. Although we are commanded in the Word of God to repent of our sins and ask forgiveness - Jesus never add that condition.

Jesus is asking us to forgive those who have offended us without limit.
no matter what their attitude might be
no matter whether they’ve made restitution or not
no matter whether they’ve repented of their offenses or not
no matter whether they’ve told us they are sorry or not
no matter whether they continue to offend us or not!

I know this is tough but with God all things are possible.