HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE FORGIVE

The "Lord's Prayer" was given unto us as a model prayer to be prayed daily! Included in this prayer are these words: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).

Let's look at this verse in the Amplified Version, to get a fuller meaning: ". . . for if you forgive people their trespasses--that is, their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go and giving up resentment--your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14, Amplified Bible). Then comes the warning:

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (verse 15).

Who are we to forgive? Everybody. Many people live in constant condemnation because they have been hurt by others and are not willing to forgive. The forgiveness Jesus is asking us to extend to others must be sincere. We must be willing to give up our resentment towards those who have hurt us.