Celebrating Your BaptismSample

In the book of Matthew, Jesus says that if we are about to ask the Lord for forgiveness but realize that we have wronged someone else and need to make amends, we are to ask them for forgiveness first and then come back and ask the Lord.

It seems odd that God would put more emphasis on forgiving one another until you remember that He is our Heavenly Father. The principle makes sense when considering each person as a child and God as a Father.

If an earthly father heard from their child, “Dad, you’re amazing, you’re the best. I love you so much. I hate my brother, and I’ll never forgive him for his actions, but I love you.”

What would the response be from the earthy father? They would say, “What is going on with your brother? What can we do to fix that relationship?” Your flattering words would fall on deaf ears because no father wants their child to be hated, nor do they desire unforgiveness to remain within the family. If earthly fathers are expected to live like that, how much more will our Heavenly Father act that way?

1 John 2:9 says, “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.”

Is there someone you’re holding unforgiveness toward?