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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:
Have you forgiven those who caused the loss of life on Tuesday? Explain. Should the church or nation let the family members of the suspected terrorists know -we have forgiven the their family members -we hold no grudge against them -God loves them and so do we -we are available to meet their needs -we are praying for them ... Explain. Sin are forgiven and there will be consequences, like David's sin with Bathsheba (1Sa 12:13-14). Steve |
Bible Answer: Dear Forum Readers, there are many who read this forum seeking scriptural answers to questions concerning life, death, God, man and the forgiveness of sins. We are all at different levels of spiritual maturity, growing in our knowledge of our Lord and His love. Please allow me to reassure some of you regarding the forgiveness of sins. It is being implied in this thread that if you, personally, do not forgive the terrorist for their sins, then God will not or has not forgiven you. This is a grave misunderstanding. Your forgiveness of sins before God is not based upon the above verse out of Matthew. The forgiveness of sins is based entirely upon Christ's redemptive work on the cross. "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins" - Hebrews 9:22. Christ shed blood at the cross is what provides that forgiveness. All the Old Testament points to that one sacrifice at the cross and all the New Testament points back to it. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have the forgiveness of your sins. Please see the following verses: Jesus said at the cross, in Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing." That forgiveness for sins is only received upon placing one's faith in Christ. Once that is done, no more forgiveness is necessary or provided for the believer. Forgiveness is part of redemption. See these other verses: Eph 1:7 In Him we HAVE redemption through His blood, the FORGIVENESS of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Col 1:14 in whom we HAVE redemption, the FORGIVENESS of sins. 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. 1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN you for His name's sake. Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may RECEIVE FORGIVENESS of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' (When is it received? When they turn to God.) Heb 9:26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of Himself. Rev 1:5 says, "To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--" When and how were we released from our sins? By our death? No, by the blood shed at His death. Heb 10:17 "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." Jesus Christ said as He was shedding His last drops of blood, "It is finished! Paid in full!" His redemptive work was done. Our part is to place our faith in that work and accept it. In conclusion, if you are a believer, your forgiveness of sins IS NOT based upon whether or not you have forgiven the terrorists. And the inverse is also true. If you are not a believer, forgiving the terrorist WILL NOT secure forgiveness of sins from God on your behalf. Christ alone has done this. In Christ, Bill Mc |