Special Series: How Do You Forgive, What You Can't Forget -Conclusion

Why does Jesus link the forgiveness we receive to the forgiveness we offer? Jesus is not saying that God will only forgive us if we forgive others. He is not saying, “If you forgive, you will be forgiven.” That would mean that we can “earn” God’s forgiveness by our good works, and the Bible makes it clear that this is not something we can do. God’s forgiveness doesn’t come to us because of our own efforts to deserve it. Each day as we ask God, “Forgive us our sins,” we are admitting we are sinful and guilty. Sometimes we are guilty of the sin of not forgiving others, but the more we realize how much God has forgiven us and how he continues to forgive us, the more our hearts are softened over the things we might otherwise refuse to forgive. Forgiveness leads to forgiveness. One of the greatest example in the Bible is the Prodigal Son illustrated in the book of Luke: Luke 15: 11-22.

"Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."

The good news is that the One who loved us and gave his life to ransom us from the kingdom of darkness offers us forgiveness. Ransom can be defined as “to deliver especially from sin or its penalty; to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price.” It cost God a great deal to ransom us! By contrast, living without receiving forgiveness from God or others and without offering forgiveness to others can trap us just as a prisoner or slave is held captive. "Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you,whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.Anda slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" John 8:34-36 (NKJV).