Beatitudes Series Part 7: Learning About Foregiveness
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We are now continuing with Matthew 6:1-4, where Jesus continues to speak about the law and the familiar scriptures that have been known for decades, but Jesus is clarifying His expectations moving forward.
In this next continual passage, we will discover hypocrisy concerning offerings and prayer.
The Beatitude Series Part 7:
Jesus Teaches On Foregiveness And Prayer
Key Verses of Discussion
Matthew 6:14-21
Colossians 3:12-3
In the last devotion, we discussed prayer and the blueprint Jesus taught us to follow as to how we should pray. I hope this gave you a better understanding of how to reach the Almighty Heavenly Father. God wants our hearts, the raw, unfiltered version of us. He expects the broken pieces; He knows we are not perfect. This is why He wants us to be honest and humble in our communications with Him. The prayer Jesus spoke was a blueprint, not a prayer for us to repeat in hopes that God may know what we are in need of.
God does know what we need before we ask of Him, but He desires a relationship with us on a personal level, so it’s important for us to communicate in a free manner to actually have an honest conversation with Him, telling Him what is on our mind, unload our burdens and turn to Him for the biggest decisions down to the smallest, “Thank You’s,” of gratitude towards Him.
Let us continue our Bible Study on the Beatitudes series and discover what treasures God wants to reveal to us next….
Jesus Teaches Us The Value Of Foregiveness
Matthew 6: 14-15
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Foregiving Others
Jesus finished speaking about the manner of prayer, and in that prayer, it mentions Matthew 6:12: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” In the passage above, Jesus clarifies that we should forgive men (others) their trespasses so our Heavenly Father will forgive us.
Unforgiveness is holding a grudge, which, if left unchecked, can lead to sinful behaviors such as hate, revenge, and so on. We are to take all things to God in prayer, and even if we never encounter those individuals again, we can still forgive, to release the bondage and ties of that trespass so it’s no longer bound to us in a negative manner.
Colossians 3:12-13 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any many have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Forgiveness Is For You
Oftentimes, people may offend you without them even realizing it; it’s healthier for you to forgive and to release that bondage of trespass than to hang onto it. The Bible encourages us to go to our brethren if we quarrel with them.
Luke 17:3 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
There are many situations where forgiveness would be required; this passage refers to “brethren,” which is to be a fellow Christian believer. Forgiveness is to be offered to those who have trespassed against you, yes, even those who do not know Jesus as their Savior. When this is done, you are showing God’s love and grace towards them. You cannot control what others do and how they treat you, but you can control your reaction to their trespassing behavior.
Jesus Forgives On The Cross
During Jesus’ final hours upon the cross, despite all the torture he endured, said, “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Jesus was tortured to the point that He was unrecognizable, and He prayed to God the Father that they would be forgiven. Forgiving them out of love, that they didn’t know at the time what they were doing, prophecy was being fulfilled, Jesus came to sacrifice Himself to pay our sin debt.
Jesus knew what prophecy He would fulfill; the very ones that He came to save from the bondage of sin are the ones who crucified Him. Jesus sets the ultimate forgiveness example, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Stephen Forgives
Acts 7:59-60 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, recieve my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
In the book of Acts, we discover the time when Saul, now known as Paul, was a witness to the stoning of Stephan who was preaching the gospel to others. Acts 7:54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” (You can find this mentioned in Acts 7-54-60)
This is a scene where the crowd of people were posessed with demonic spirits, they are naturally in the dark, and when Stephan preached the gospel, God’s truth and light, they attacked him. Despite their rage, Stephan forgave them so they would not be condemned but come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
There was more that happened, a first-hand witness converted. Stephan showed God’s grace in his last moments of life, one who was a firsthand witness to Saul’s (Paul) stoning. Saul changed from persecuting the Christians to becoming a believer himself. It’s not always what you say but how you react when others trespass against you.
When you forgive, you’re showing God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Stephan did not die in vain; this is an example that bad things may happen to good Christians. God uses all circumstances to further His kingdom, and unfortunately, many bad things happen to wonderful Christians. For this reason, you should always find a way to allow God’s light to shine, even in the worst of circumstances. This could become a testimony that God can use to reach others.
Final Thoughts
When we forgive, we are releasing the sin that may have been committed against us.
We must forgive so that our Heavenly Father will forgive us when we sin.
Forgiveness has no time limit.
True forgiveness offers freedom.
Forgiveness can be a living testimony that is put into action for others to witness God’s grace
Prayer Journaling Prompts
Is there unforgiven sin in my life? What is it? Bind and release this sin by asking foregiveness through prayer.
Have I ever held a grudge against someone, perhaps in my past? Think on those individual moments and pray for those situations that you may be cleansed and set free from those situations. It may be even as far back as high school, maybe someone being a bully, pray for that individual now. We all change over time; we may not know them anymore, but praying for them helps remove any negative emotions, grudges, or bitterness. Forgiveness is for you, too.
Is there someone you have trespassed against or sinned against recently? How can you make that right with them to reconcile and know peace in that situation?
Before you leave, will you join me in prayer?
Father, we thank You for Your precious Word. Teaching us how to forgive is not the easiest of things to do, but we do feel as if a burden lifts once it’s done. If there be any sin, grudge, or trespass that I have committed towards others, may You reveal those things to me so that I may make them right. Help me to forgive so that I can also forgive others and receive forgiveness from You. Help me to be more conscious and aware of those situations so they may not linger long before I can address them. Help me to have a forgiving and gracious heart more each day. I ask that You be with me, continue to guide me as I walk each day striving to be closer to You, Heavenly Father. Thank You for the time we can study Your word, to guide, teach, and correct us when needed, so that we may carry the Light of Jesus wherever we go. May we continue to seek You every day, we know this world is not our home, but may we leave a mark that lasts all eternity to be witnesses of You. Please forgive me of sin that has not been addressed, may You reveal any sin in my life so that I may purge it and draw closer each day to You, Jesus. That sin may not hinder the relationship I have with You.
May You get all the honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Quick Note:
Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by where God leads me.
I am not a professional; I’m simply a southern wife and mother of five with a deep desire to share the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. He loves you, and He longs to have a relationship with you. We are not called to be perfect, but we are called to be led by Him.
God has placed so much on my heart to share, and my prayer is that these words bless and encourage you. I’m not here for recognition or fame - only to spread the message of God’s love to you, my new friend, and to many others.
