“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Isn't it funny how easily we forget that simple set of sentences? The passage follows hard upon the Lords Prayer, and of the several things prayed for, it is forgiveness that Jesus tells us is most important. He does not emphasise resisting temptation or deliverance from evil. No, what Jesus says is important is forgiveness.
It could be interesting to go through a list of things we consider important and beside each one put an X, because it is not forgiveness. You are most Christ-like when you forgive. Forgiveness is divine. It is participation in the holiness of God. It is an act motivated by love that comes exclusively from God.
We might say that forgiveness is an ascetic practice. Perhaps forgiveness is a precautionary measure against temptation and evil. Where we foster feelings of ill will, anger, or jealousy, there are the ingredients of temptation. And a distressed spirit lures evil to itself. Ill will, anger and jealousy, all can be neutralized by forgiveness. It is both precaution and weapon.
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