Forgiving Others

Forgiveness is foundational teaching in Christianity. Jesus died on the cross to forgive us our sins. Jesus' teaching goes further than that though when He asks us to forgive others and to pray for them as well. Our reading is from the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew Ch 5 v 43 - Ch 6 v 15

• The Lord's Prayer tells us to pray, "Forgive us out debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"; Ch 6 v 12. The assumption is made we will forgive others, even if they have not asked us to forgive them.
• This can be difficult to do, but should become easier as we focus on what we have been forgiven of.
• v 15 sends a warning about holding on to the knowledge that you have been wronged by someone.
• Back in Ch 5 Jesus teaches us to pray for those who persecute us and even to love them! (v 44). This is a characteristic of God which He wants displayed in His followers.
• Jesus goes on to say that loving those who already love you is not special or pleasing to Him.

We have all been wronged by others and we are all capable of holding on to these debts. It is unhealthy, unhelpful and unbiblical to do so. Jesus talks about us being salt and light to the world (Ch 5 v 13 -16) and there is perhaps no better way than to love our enemies than to sincerely pray for them.