Forgive and Be Forgiven Matthew 6:14

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen”, and in chapter six and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples what happens, “if you forgive men their trespasses” where we read:

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

The verse reads, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, , ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since, on account of and consequently” “if you forgive men” or “whether the disciples send away, depart, yield up, expire and disregard” “their trespasses” which means “people's falls, lapses, deviations from truth and uprightness and misdeeds”. Jesus expanded upon “forgiving” other people and their “misdeeds”.

The verse goes on to say, “... your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew continued with the words, “your heavenly Father” which means “the disciples' celestial generator and originator who is God” “will also” or “will even so, indeed and therefore”, “forgive you” which means “to send away, depart, yield up, expire and disregard the trespasses of the disciples”. Jesus declared that God would “even so” “forgive” the “trespasses” of the disciples when they “forgave men”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see a direct correlation between “forgiving” others and being “forgiven” by God. Jesus emphasized this aspect of His prayer as He declared that if the disciples would “forgive” people who “sinned” against them, God would also “forgive” them. God wants a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit themselves unto Him and ask Him to “forgive” them, they should also desire to “forgive” others who have done them harm.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples what happens, “if you forgive not men their trespasses”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.