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Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)
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.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT:ANATOMY OF FORGIVENESS
Matthew 6:14-15
Anatomy of Forgiveness
We continue our ongoing study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Last week we looked at the model prayer that Jesus gave
We saw some important elements that made up this prayer, giving us some truth as to what we should pray for
Anatomy of Forgiveness
Hopefully the last two weeks have given us some greater insight on prayer
If nothing else, it puts prayer into the forefront of our minds, exactly where it should be
Jesus moves on from prayer to a topic that was covered within His prayer
Anatomy of Forgiveness
Here we see one thought that Jesus wishes to expound upon
This must have either been an important thought for Jesus to expound on it, or it was something they struggled with
Let us heed the truth and wisdom in verses 14-15…
Anatomy of Forgiveness
1. Focus
Let us notice together where Christ puts the focus here within these 2 verses
The focus here is what Jesus begins both verses with…
The focus is on YOU forgiving men of their trespasses
Anatomy of Forgiveness
1. Focus
We tend to focus on whether God is forgiving us, or if we are getting forgiveness from other people
God is not focused on His forgiveness of us, because that is never in question if we take care of our part
Anatomy of Forgiveness
1. Focus
This places the focus squarely on our duty towards others (Matt. 22:39)
At the end of the day, God has already done His part, and we cannot control the actions of others
That only leaves us looking inward at ourselves!
Anatomy of Forgiveness
2. Condition
Notice how Jesus uses the word IF here in these verses
“For IF you forgive men…But IF you do not forgive men…”
This word “if” is used because there is a promise God makes that is conditional
Anatomy of Forgiveness
2. Condition
God’s promises are almost always, without exception, conditional
God promised to bless and protect Israel if they followed His word (Josh. 1:5-9)
That’s why it’s silly for anyone today to say that God’s salvation promise isn’t conditional
Anatomy of Forgiveness
2. Condition
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9)
Certainly here we see another one of those conditional promises
We must be willing to do our part first
Anatomy of Forgiveness
2. Condition
We see that we stand in need of God’s forgiveness
The wonderful part is that God offers us His forgiveness…
IF we simply are willing to forgive others of their sins against us (which takes humility)
Anatomy of Forgiveness
3. Action
Let’s concentrate now on the action required here, that of forgiveness
To forgive means to omit, let go, keep no longer (in regards to one’s sin)
The fact is that people will sin (Rom. 3:23;I Jn. 1:8)
Anatomy of Forgiveness
3. Action
Our forgiveness of others has no bearing on God’s forgiveness of that person
However, it does have bearing on God’s forgiveness of us
Our forgiveness of others does not mean that their sins are wiped clean in regards to God
Anatomy of Forgiveness
3. Action
Note the forgiveness that Jesus requested on the cross (Lk. 23:34)
However, we know from Acts 2 that they still needed forgiveness of these sins (2:36-38)
There is a need for others to recognize their sin and ask for forgiveness (Matt. 18:15ff)
Anatomy of Forgiveness
3. Action
We still need to be willing to forgive others no matter what (let go, keep no longer)
“Forgiving one another” (Eph. 4:32) shows an attitude of forgiveness
This goes along with what Jesus taught in Matthew 18:21-35
