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NASB | Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses. |
Bible Question: Is it easy for God to forgive? |
Bible Answer: Greetings WOS! Welcome back :-) To all who read let it be known I'm not attempting to teach on this matter. Just thinking out loud! Here are some initial thoughts for consideration. It would seem to me a harder thing for Him to do if He didn't forgive the repentant heart considering the price that was paid. When I consider passages of scripture like is listed below speaking to His lovingkindness, compassion, great love and richness of His grace etc... I'm reminded of His nature. We also know He is just. So in regards to forgiveness of those who repent, not only is He right to do so, but it seems to me He is acting out of His nature. Considering the price that was paid and His nature and your question, I can't help but wonder is it harder for Him to punish those who don't repent then it is for Him to forgive those that do? Psalms 86:5 (NASB) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Nehemiah 9:17b (NASB) ... But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them. Ephesians 1:7-8a (NASB) 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 1:8a which He lavished on us... Ephesians 1:5 (NASB) He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will Romans 2:4 (NASB) Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Ephesians 2:4-8 (NASB) 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Easy or hard, He is justified in doing so and we can be assured He will (1 John 1:9). Steve |