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NASB | Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. |
Bible Question:
Greetings Forum! I spent some time awhile back memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. During that time, Mt. 6:14-15 struck me as two very powerful verses. So, let me throw this question out to the Forum for discussion: What exactly is the relationship between our ability to forgive others and our reception of forgiveness from God? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
Bible Answer: The Life Application Commentary describes it this way - Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness if we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don't forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means (see Eph. 4:2). It is easy to ask God for forgiveness but difficult to grant it to others. When we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask ourselves, "Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me"? |