Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

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.

Forgiveness isn't optional for Christians. It's essential.

I. JESUS'S TEACHING ON FORGIVENESS WAS UNIQUE (v. 12)

The Daily Prayers in Jesus's Time “Forgive us, our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You are a pardoner and a forgiver. Blessed are You, O Lord, the gracious One who abundantly forgives.”

Why Does This Matter? You can't compartmentalize your relationship with God from your relationships with others. The two are inseparable.

II. DEBTS, TRESPASSES, AND SINS (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

The Language of Forgiveness The Aramaic Word Khoba khoba meant both sin and debt.

"The faithful need to remember they are asking for forgiveness for failing to forgive what God requires of them (debts) and for their failure to do the right thing when they did act (trespass)." Ken Bailey

What We're Confessing

• We have sinned against his holiness
• We have failed in what he requires of us
• We need mercy, not justice

III. FORGIVENESS IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts..."

Food for the Soul John Stott writes:"Forgiveness is as indispensable to the life and health of the soul as food is for the body."

Make It A Regular Practice Notice Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for forgiveness regularly. This isn't a one-time prayer. It's a daily prayer.

IV. THE TERRIFYING CONNECTION (vv. 12, 14-15)

As We Have Forgiven

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

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.

Let's be clear about what Jesus is saying:

• Your forgiveness from God is connected to your forgiveness of others
• If you refuse to forgive, you demonstrate you don't understand forgiveness

An unforgiving heart reveals an unforgiven heart

Why Is This So Serious? Because forgiveness is the very essence of the gospel.

Romans 5:10 NIV

Romans 6:23 NIV

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

Colossians 2:13–14 NIV

The Demonstration of Repentance

Luke 7:47 NIV

Romans 5:6 NLT

PRACTICAL APPLICATION Is Your Prayer Life Marked by Forgiveness or Vengeance? Who Do You Need to Forgive?

Forgiveness is NOT:

• Saying what they did was okay (it wasn't)
• Excusing their behavior (it's inexcusable)
• Pretending it didn't hurt (it did)
• Putting yourself back in harm's way (boundaries are healthy)
• Reconciliation without repentance (forgiveness is one-sided; reconciliation requires both parties)

Forgiveness IS:

• Releasing your right to revenge
• Entrusting judgment to God
• Refusing to let bitterness poison your soul
• Choosing mercy over vindictiveness
• Extending the grace you've received

The Hard Work of Forgiving

Let me be honest: Forgiveness is hard. But Jesus is saying: For your sake, for the health of your soul, you must forgive.

The Challenge

1. Make a list of people you need to forgive

2. Pray for them by name every day

3. Ask God to help you forgive from your heart

4. If possible and appropriate, take a step toward reconciliation

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 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 thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.