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Letting the Clear Interpret the Unclear

If you come to the scriptures anticipating condemnation, you’ll find it.

Matthew 6:15 seems to show that our forgiveness is conditional: “But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” It’s like the Father is saying, “Hey, I noticed you didn’t forgive that person. So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to change My mind and not forgive you.” Ouch.

A helpful interpretive principle is to let the clear interpret the unclear. Romans 5–8, Ephesians 1, and a significant body of clear scripture teach that we’re justified and forgiven, unconditionally accepted—period. So, we let those scriptures inform us to interpret this one.

Jesus is talking about experiential forgiveness, not judicial forgiveness. While justified once and for all, we may not experience the beauty of that forgiveness if we don’t forgive others. He’s saying, “I’m encouraging you to forgive this person. I want to heal, restore, and begin freeing you from this trauma. You must allow the cross to cleanse you of this so that you can experience the forgiveness I’ve already given.”