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Forgiving
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Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the
palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
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Have you ever considered that we'll be sharing heaven for an eternity
with people who have been guilty of committing terrible crimes here on
earth, then have repented, believed in Jesus and been saved? That puts
the matter of forgiveness on a whole new level doesn't it? We need to
get the issue of forgiving out of the way while we have the
opportunity in our own lives here on earth. I don't think there's been
provision made in heaven for unforgivers.
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Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord,
how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
till seven times?
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do
also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his
brother their trespasses.
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We have to forgive those who have perpetrated crimes against us in all
sorts of terrible ways.
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Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who
can forgive sins but God only?
Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the
palsy,)
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye
have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven
may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your
Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
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The problem is, those who don't know Jesus as Lord just aren't capable
of that level of forgiveness. Unless we avail ourselves of God's mercy
and love through commitment as believers, we just can't do it, and
it's unreasonable to be expected to do so. But those who believe are
expected to have the "God kind" of forgiveness, just as we have the
"God kind" of faith. We forgive that way, trusting in God to help us
not only forgive and forget, but to execute His perfect Justice, being
Joyfully willing to share Heaven for an eternity with whoever once
sinned against us in this life but who is now saved. And we need to
pray for their salvation.
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Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to
reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can
forgive sins, but God alone?
Luke 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath
power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the
palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go
into thine house.
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Forgiving isn't a personal issue, but an eternal one.
By the Holy Spirit to the Glory of God,
Merrellee Moore 2/28/2002
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