Forgiveness - Doctrine or Way of Life?

Was forgiveness of your sins something that happened at your conversion, or something you seek and thank God for day by day? Did you realise that your view of God's forgiveness colours your attitude to forgiving others?

Jesus puts it even more strongly - God forgives us in the same way we forgive others.

A right view of forgiveness begins with a correct understanding of our sinful state - nothing we can do can add one speck to God's gift of forgiveness - we stand convicted on "death row". God's forgiveness is not a reward for our attempts to make "good", but a gift from the depths of His boundless love. In the same way then, our forgiveness of others must be unconditional. Yes, it isn't easy, it requires sacrifice of pride, but then didn't God's forgiveness only come about through sacrifice?

(Some précised thoughts from "Practicing Peace" by W.Glyn Evans)


Mt.6:15 "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins".
Mt.18:21-22 "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me; seven times? Not seven times but seventy times seven!".
Eph.4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgives you".
Col.3:13 "Be gentle, forbearing and supportive of one another...forgiving and readily pardoning each other, even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also forgive."
Ps.103:2-3 "Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."
Eph.1:7 "In Him we have deliverance through His (sacrificed) blood and forgiveness of our sins according to the rich generosity of His gracious favour".

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