“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
We understand that one cannot be right with God if you have sin in your heart. And not forgiving others is sinful. Extending forgiveness shows obedience to God’s Word and obedience shows God…. your love for Him.
But let’s go even deeper…..
First, why does Scripture refer to God as Father, in Matthew 6:14-15?
Father is being used here because Scripture is addressing believers.
Second, what does God being your Father mean for you as a believer?
It means that you are God’s daughters. How beautiful is that!!
Third, what does this truly mean that your Father will Not forgive your sins?
Well, it means…. exactly what Scripture states in Matthew 6:15, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Fourth, do you really believe that God’s Word is Truth?
If your answer is yes…. and you are Not forgiving others for their sins, you should be 100% confident right now that your Father in Heaven will Not forgive your sins…. because that is exactly what God’s Word states.
Do you know in your heart what not extending forgiveness really means for your life?
It means that God will not show mercy to those who are not merciful.
James 2:12-13 states, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs judgment.”
A person who has put their faith in Jesus Christ loves God so much that they extend mercy to others because of their love for God. Opposite is the person who will not extend forgiveness. This person is being disobedient to God’s Word, therefore is not showing God love…. because obedience is love.
Does this alarm your heart? Or make you ask yourself how much you are honestly showing God your love for Him right now?
It should, if you know you haven’t forgiven someone.
I pray that God’s Word will cause you to fall to your knees right now and repent. I pray that you cry out to God and ask Him to help you have a forgiving heart. I say this with deep conviction. You do not want any measure of mercy to be taken away from your life. I have experienced it. There is no peace when you don’t extend forgiveness.
Now another question…. Do you really understand what mercy is from our Father?
Mercy is our Father’s way of extending compassion to His children. Just the same way a father extends compassion to his child…..
Now…. think about all the sin you have committed.
Did you deserve forgiveness from your sin?
No you did not.
God forgave you out of mercy because He wants you to show mercy to others. God showed you compassion so you could show compassion to others. God forgave you so you could forgive others. God gave you peace so you can give peace to others.
You will not feel this peace if you are not forgiving others because God will not forgive you. God does this out of love for us.
Hebrews 12:6 states, “because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son”.
God is no different from Godly parents that love their children. Loving parents hold back and extend mercy in a way that helps children mature. God loves us the same way, but with so much more love that we can even comprehend.
Do you see it yet?
Forgiveness is showing compassion…. compassion is showing mercy.
In Matthew 5:7, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
My beloved Sister in Christ, I pray that you want this compassion from our Father over your life. This compassion is forgiveness from God Himself. You do not want to go a day without it, nor do you want our Father to remove any measure of His mercy from your life. Please forgive now. Don’t delay.
Has your heart been touched by the Holy Spirit? Are you convicted? Do you have any area in your life where you are not showing forgiveness to others?
If you are being convicted, please choose right now to forgive. You are walking on dangerous ground if you don’t. I say this with much empathy. God calls you to be merciful in His Word.
Additional Truth
Do not confuse what Jesus spoke in Matthew 6:14-15 with your salvation. These are two different Truths.
Matthew 6:14-15 is describing how our Father deals with His children. God will withdraw and extend mercy to the extent needed to sanctify believers into Christ-likeness. God will also make His glory known.
As far as your salvation is concerned, God’s Word states:
Salvation is of God…
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Salvation is by Christ…
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Salvation is through faith in Christ…
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Salvation comes through confession…
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10
Believers of Christ are delivered from sin…
“But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5
Believers of Christ are clothed with righteousness…
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Believers rest in this Truth…
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
I pray that this post has been a blessing to you. I addressed two Truths here. I did this so there would be no confusion in thinking that Matthew 6:14-15 is talking about taking away your salvation. Every believer has salvation after asking Jesus Christ into their hearts, confessing Jesus as Lord, taking up your cross, and following Him. But I did feel it was imperative for you to understand the magnitude of not having a forgiving heart towards others.
Love you all!! God bless!!
