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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:
Forgiveness - part 3 of 3 (pant, pant) Now can Christ’s statement, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, then your heavenly Father will not forgive your transgression” be true after the cross? I submit that it cannot. See these verses: Col 2:13 - When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us ALL our transgressions. Eph 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also HAS FORGIVEN you. Col 3:13 - bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord FORGAVE you, so also should you. We now, as New Testament believers, forgive as, because, we HAVE BEEN forgiven. When were we forgiven ALL our sins? At the cross. Our forgiveness is part of our redemption – Eph 1:7; Col 1:14. It is no longer, I believe, conditional. The ultimate sin offering, the body of Christ has been made once-for-all – 1 Pet 3:18; Heb 9:26; Heb 10:12,14. Forgiveness of sins is secured. It is finished! So, what happens if a Christian does not forgive? According to scripture, we will give an account for what we do in our bodies – Rom 14:10-12. There is still rewards to be had. But I don’t believe that we will not be forgiven. There is too many verses that say otherwise. In closing, please see Heb 10:17,18. This is an important verse that describes one of the blessings that we, as well as future Israel, participate in under the New Covenant. God says here that He remembers our sins no more. Do we believe this verse? Isn’t Christ the mediator of this Covenant? Why does God remember our sins no more? Is it because He is having memory problems? Hardly. It is because of verse 18. It is because there IS forgiveness for ALL sins for ALL mankind for ALL time. This forgiveness exists. But it is only received upon placing one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that was made 2000 years ago – Acts 10:43; Acts 26:18. Is there any other offering for sin? Not according to verse 18. Christ’s offering was COMPLETELY sufficient. We need to rest in that. We need to be thankful for that sacrifice and proclaim to the world, “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins BY HIS BLOOD – and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – Rev 1:5 - Bill Mc I hope this helps. I hope it answers your question. And, though you may not agree with me, that's OK, at least you know the reason for the hope within me. Blessings in Christ, Bill Mc |
Bible Answer: Greetings Bill! Again, excellent posts my friend! I would only make two points to this post! 1) Under your explanation, the statement of Mt. 6:14-15 would not have mattered even before the death of Christ. Why? Because, forgiveness of sins was obtained through the sin sacrifice, not through forgiving others. So, what part did forgiveness of others play in our forgiveness. 2) Forgiveness can still be conditional. The reason I say this is because, like you I assume, I believe in an unlimited atonement. All sins, past, present, and future, of every man, woman, and child, were atoned for at the cross. We only received the benefit of that forgiveness when we accept Christ. A case could be made that we could also cease to abide in Christ and remove ourselves from God's forgiveness. I appreciate your effort in this post. And yes, I know the reason for the hope within us both! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |