Forgiving others is a test

Why would the loving Father be so strict on His children whom He has got through the sacrifice of His Son, as to tell them that He would not forgive them if they would not forgive others? (Mt.6:14,15). In one place He has assured us that He will never leave us or forsake us. But then, from the parable of the king and the two servants it is clear that He might even take back the forgiveness that He has once given (Mt.18:34,35)! These passages emphasise the fact that our own forgiveness from God is conditional on our forgiving others. But that is not what most preachers tell people. They present the unconditional love of God to sinners that will assure eternal life for them which they will never lose. But true prophets warn people to take God seriously and to forgive others who have sinned against them.

Have you thought about why forgiving others is so much linked to our salvation? Of course it is not that we need to forgive others first before we can receive our own forgiveness from God. Our salvation is not based on being good enough or doing any good works. But once we receive forgiveness, it is then important for us to forgive others. This is due to the nature of forgiveness from God. It is an unmerited favour from God which He offers to us as a free gift. It is important to understand how we can receive this free gift. It is a free gift for those who believe in Jesus as their Saviour (Jn.3:16).

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? We believe that Jesus, the Son of God, came as a Man to this earth and died on the cross to bear the punishment of death on behalf of all people. This implies that our sins deserved this punishment, and that God is offering to forgive us our sins and take away our punishment. That is grace from God towards us who actually deserve to be punished.

After receiving this free gift from God, if people say that they are not willing to show the same grace towards others, what it shows is that they have not understood the meaning of grace from God. They seem to think is that these people who have sinned against them do not deserve to be forgiven, while they themselves are saying they need forgiveness from God even though they do not deserve it! They have not understood grace nor appreciated it, and therefore God cannot consider them worthy to receive grace.

In the usual presentation of the Gospel these days, the place for convicting people of their sins and sinfulness has disappeared, and it has been replaced by offers of free blessings from God. No wonder people do not understand how God forgives sinners.

When God tells us to forgive others, He tells us to remember how we ourselves have received forgiveness from Him (Ep.4:32;Co.3:13)). That is what will help us to forgive others. But if we have not seen the value of the sacrifice of Jesus for us, the chances are that we have not actually received forgiveness, but we are presuming on it. Take this seriously before it becomes late.