For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The simple reading of this text out of the context of the sermon of the mount and the greater story of the Gospel makes room for those who desire to make a walk with Jesus one of performance and earning. An out-of-context reading of this scripture allows for the false narrative of the vindictive responsiveness of God toward sin to live on.
Within the context of the sermon on the mount and the story of the Gospel, we see a reality that speaks to our position as believers.
First, it reminds us that though we desire the Kingdom of God here on earth, we share the earth with imperfect beings that offend and hurt us. These humans require forgiveness for relationship to continue. Relationship between God and man is made secure through the forgiveness offered by Jesus. This work, once received is permanent. But what about the relationship between humans?
Forgiveness must live here too.
Second, when we do not forgive another for an offense, something unpredictable and surprising happens: we allow a wedge between us and them which also allows a wedge between us and God. It’s impossible for us to hold our fellow man in contempt without it impacting our relationship with God.
Some scholars believe that the reason for this dynamic is that a person who refuses to forgive another demonstrates that they have never experienced the forgiveness of God for themselves. This thought stems from the belief that someone who has received a revelation of the forgiveness of God cannot help but extend it to others. In this case, rather than a reaction of God to our lack of forgiveness of others, the lack of forgiveness of others is simply evidence our of a lack of reaction to His forgiveness.*
Other scholars believe that when you withhold forgiveness from your fellow man, you place yourself on the judgement seat of God, thus displacing the Lord God on the throne of judgement in an act of idolatrous usurpation of rule. This act removes the Grace-giver from the throne. Removing Him from the throne of judgment may appear to remove the opportunity for forgiveness from them, temporarily satisfying a desire for judgement and revenge. In reality, it removes your opportunity for forgiveness as you have pushed aside the Grace-giver.*
Whichever view you hold, and maybe the reality of this dynamic depends upon individual situations, its a reminder of what the pronouns “our” and “we” communicate throughout the Lord’s prayer: we are in this together. We are the body of Christ, and we should extend the same forgiveness to one another that Christ extended us.
In the context of the goals of Jesus in this passage, we must remember that Jesus is calling us to a higher place of heart-examination, not establishing more rules. It’s not enough to forgive those who need no forgiveness. Where is our heart when we need to forgive those who hurt us in a way that matters to us?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to forgive someone else. Perhaps you need to ask God to forgive you for acting as judge in someone else’s life. Maybe you have been judging yourself and refusing to forgive yourself of something that He already has. Maybe God wants you to take a step toward the healing necessary to forgive and a step toward the forgiveness that heals.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 149, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 6:9-13) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).