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Being forgiven and forgiving is the true sign of one born of the Spirit of the Lord. The ability to forgive those who offend and wrong us is a manifestation of the nature of the Lord. Jesus taught that those who forgive those who sin against them are in turn forgiven by the heavenly Father. Mt. 6:14 An unwillingness to forgive others can be a hindrance to the petition of the individual who is seeking the Lord. We wonder sometime why our prayers are not answered. The Word always has an answer. Mark 11:25 When we are serious about receiving a response to our prayers, and we remember that there is a conflict, it is well to go immediately and be reconciled to that person whom we have offended or who has offended us. Humbling, oh yes indeed. But an earnest, strong desire to see an answer to prayer requires a fulfillment and obedience to the Word. Mt. 5:23-24 Even in a situation where the feelings are totally one sided, and we remember that they have something against us, go make peace and see what the Lord will do.
How far do we go in forgiving? Peter inquired of the Lord whether seven times was enough, but Jesus said until seventy times seven, that is four hundred and ninety times. Then when the first four hundred and ninety times are used up, start another four hundred and ninety. Mt. 18:21-22 The measure of the extent of our forgiveness of others must be the same as the Lord has spent in forgiving us of our sin. In the first place He has blotted out, that is He has eradicated, abolished eternally all sin which has been confessed to Him and has been dealt with by repentance. Better yet, He will never remember the past. He does not have senior moments but confessed sin is completely obliterated from His memory. Isa. 43:25 Heb. 10:17
The person who has received the forgiveness of the Lord and has forgiven others is a person who will enjoy the rich blessing of the Lord. They are assured that the Lord has covered, put away or concealed their sin. Rom. 4:10 Deliverance and peace are assured because of His great and wonderful love. He has thrown all of our sin behind His back. Rest assured He will never turn around to retrieve them. Isa. 38:17 He has thrown them into the deepest part of the ocean. Mic. 7:19 Then to really impress upon us how completely they are gone, He stated that as far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our sins from us. Ps. 103:12 The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7.