The Webster's Dictionary definition of forgive is: to give
up, remit, - to give up resentment against or the desire to
punish; to stop being angry with; to pardon - to overlook -
to cancel debt, or penalty, - cancel, absolve, release…..
In the O T it is very interesting to read I Kings 8: and II
Chronicles 7: where King Solomon offers his prayer of dedication
for the temple. Notice especially in II Chron. 7:14 that the
condition for receiving forgiveness was that the people must
turn from their wicked ways.
In Psa. 86:5 - "For thou, Lord art good, and ready to
forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon
thee."
Psa. 103:8-13 "….As far as the east is from the west,
so far hath he removed our transgressions form us……"
In the N T we can look at the Lord's prayer in Matt. 6:9-15.
Notice the condition for receiving forgiveness in v. 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."
In Matt. 18:21-35 is the story of the ungrateful servant who
would not forgive his fellow servant of a much smaller debt.
Notice the question that Peter asked of Jesus concerning forgiving
his brother's sin - and Jesus gave the basic answer of …
"But until seventy times seven….." followed by
the parable of the two servants.
See also Luke 17:1-4 for the same measure of forgiveness stated
by Jesus.
Again in Mark 11:20-26 we find mentioned a condition to getting
your prayers answered. In v.23 you find the promise to see mountains
removed…but in v.25, 26 is the reminder that you must "…forgive
if ye have ought against any… but if ye do not forgive,
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive you."
II Cor. 2:5-10 - Paul exhorts to "…forgive him, comfort…
and to confirm your love toward him…."
Eph. 4:31 - "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,
and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice;
v.32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Col. 3: 12-15 "…forgiving one another… even as
Christ forgave you….so do ye."
I Pet. 4:8 "…And above all have fervent charity (love)
among yourselves; for charity (love) shall cover the multitude
of sins."
I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
You may ask: How can I truly forgive someone??? You must first
see the need, for yourself and for the other person's sake.
Then you must make a choice of the will, depending on God's
power to give you the strength to persevere until it is no longer
a matter of concern to you, resting in God's peace. Many times
much prayer is required, with the obedience to give it up.
