Are you living under fear that you are not good enough for God? Do you always try to be a better Christian trying to pray more and read the Bible more?
One of the scriptures, when it is not understood and can lead to fear is:
Matthew 6:12-15 NKJV
12. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. {13} And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. {14} "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
As I was reading this verses about forgiveness I asked myself:
What group did Jesus talk to? Jews or Gentiles?
The Jews, right.. Under the law.
Forgiveness
This showed people under the old covenant what would happen if they could not forgive. God would not forgive them as well.
Is this Biblical new covenant teaching: “We must forgive so God can forgive us”?
It can look like it is according to Mattew 6:12. But remember that Jesus was living under the old covenant. And he was speaking to people under the old covenant. The new covenant started after the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost.
Under the new covenant forgiveness works in a different way.
Paul did not mention we need to ask for forgiveness, because God already has forgiven us in Christ. I can now tell God: I am sorry if I mess up, based on the fact that I am already forgiven. So I will always forgive others with the forgiveness of Christ.
The new covenant principle
I forgive because I have received the Love of God. When you are filled with the love of God it will expresses itself by you forgiving others. Remember, it is not with my love but God's love I am able to forgive. When I received Christ I received the Love of God.
My new nature in Christ is God's love. Christ forgives - so I forgive.
Ephesians 4:32
(And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Colossians 3:13
.. bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. (Because I first has received His love and forgiveness)
The point is this: FIRST we RECEIVE the love God has for us. In God's love to us lies everlasting forgiveness of our sin. I don't need to ask for forgiveness to get forgiveness. That is asking God for something He already has given to me. That would be unbelief. But I can and should thank and praise God for forgiving me for ALL my sins.
Nothing you can do except believe
Many experience difficulties in forgiving. These people need to receive the LOVE of God. There is nothing more to add to what God has done for me. What a fantastic savior we have. He has forgiven ALL our sins, past present and future. As we grow in this LOVE we will find more and more freedom in Christ. This freedom will be more and more evident in life.
If you feel it is difficult to forgive someone, pray this prayer: God I can not forgive this person. But I now forgive with YOUR love and forgiveness, that is in me in Christ Jesus.
It is important to remember that one day we will all be standing in front of God almighty. There God will judge us based on whether we received Christ and His love to us.
The grace of God
This will happen only because of the Grace of God. I have nothing to boast about except the LOVE God has given to me.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." and again: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
My prayer is this:
Lord help me to always live in your love so I can live my life to the fullest in forgiveness and love to all people I meet.