Mar 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mar 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is the heart of Christianity. It is central to our relationship with God. Our greatest need is forgiveness….we have no other hope for our sins. Forgiveness is not our right; it’s not what we deserve. Our forgiveness cost Jesus suffering and death. Forgiveness is also vitally important in our relationships with one another. We forgive others because of God’s forgiveness to us. A merciful attitude recognizes our unworthiness of God’s great love and grace. Forgiveness is the release given another for an offense committed against us, the debt is canceled. Nothing more is due, nothing more is owed. Forgiveness can be hard, but receiving forgiveness from God requires that we have a forgiving attitude. When we struggle with forgiving others, let’s remember God’s love and forgiveness given to us.