Forgiven

Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
What does it mean to be forgiven? Does it mean we just forget a wrong or hurt? If that be true why then do we hold so tightly to something that causes us pain?
Some 2000 years ago Jesus hung on a cruel cross. Pain racked his earthly body. Blood dripped from his brow pierced by a thorny crown. His hands screamed from nails driven to inflect more pain. Yet He spoke these words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Could we do as He? We should! As the weight of the sins of the whole world then and now was piled upon Him and as God turned his back on His only son there was forgiveness in His heart. As Jesus was paying a debt no one but He could pay to set mankind free there was forgiveness in His eyes.
Satan would have us to believe that is not true. He questions, “How could a loving righteous God do that to his son and forgive the vilest of sinners?” Not only could He but that is exactly what He did. Your sin and mine was nailed to that cross. Jesus paid a debt we could not pay. He made it possible for us to regain fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
So then if God could and did forgive us our sin should we not be willing to forgive those who hurt, wrong or damage us? I would think a YES would be in order. Does that depend on some religious rite or ritual? NO! Only on Jesus should we trust and believe. If God forgave us completely and cast our sin as far as the east is from the west should we not follow His guide? Should we not forgive as we have been forgiven?
Forgiveness is a subject of volumes of books, many a sermon, and topics of religious discussions, yet it appears to only be just a subject. Many christians today do not know how to forgive or if they do chose not to. Forgiveness is a state of mind and spirit. It is a peace that passeth all understanding in the soul and allows fellowship with God.
The Apostle Paul spoke many times about how, why, and the need for Christians to have a forgiving spirit. Christians are to be Christ like and let the light of Christ shine through their lives. The fruits of unforgiveness are bitterness, anxiety, depression and bad health, followed close by confusion and loss of fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10
We are to forgive as unconditionally as God forgave us. Because he forgave us we are to forgive others.