'Divine and human forgiveness
Divine and human forgiveness
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." Luke 11:4
In the model prayer which Jesus gave to His disciples — He linked together divine and human forgiveness .
While we pray to God to forgive our countless and enormous sins — we are taught to extend the same forgiveness we ask for ourselves, to others who harm us in little ways.
Let us hold no bitterness in our hearts even for a moment. Let us put away all grudges and all ill feelings. Let us remember the good things others do to us — and forget the evil things.
Then we can pray sincerely, "Forgive us our sins — as we forgive others." If we cannot do this, I do not know how we can pray at all for forgiveness.
"Forgive — and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37
"But if you do not forgive men their sins — your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15
"In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you — unless you forgive your brother from your heart!" Matthew 18:34-35