The divine mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is to seek and to save that which is lost.  Inherent in that mission is God’s willingness to forgive mankind of their sins.  Aren’t you glad that we serve a forgiving God?  If God were not so forgiving, we would all still be dead in our trespasses and sins.

To receive God’s forgiveness, we must be willing to forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiving others is not only critical to our salvation, it is a part of living for Christ, or, as we have been discussing all week, living a Christ-centered life.  Being willing to forgive was one of our Lord’s greatest attributes when He was here on earth, culminating on the cross where He was crucified for our transgressions.

Luke 23:33-34 (ESV)
³³  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Are we striving to be like Christ, willing to forgive those who sin against us, not because they deserve it, but because we are merciful at heart?  We all need forgiveness from time to time.  The question is, are we willing to give it?

The opposite of forgiveness is grudge-holding, and that does not do anyone any good.  It leaves one with a heart of bitterness, making it impossible to sustain a good relationship with others.

Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Do you ever remember Jesus demonstrating bitterness?  Of course not, and He, above anyone else who ever lived, had reason to be bitter.  In exchange for love, He received hatred and spite from others.  Though He sacrificed a home in heaven in order to save man, the world rejected Him (John 1:10-11).  Isaiah prophetically described how the Savior would be treated. 

Isaiah 53:3 (ESV)
³  He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Despite this, Jesus was never bitter, choosing instead, not only to forgive His enemies, but die for them.  No matter how others treat you, be willing to forgive.  Being merciful enough to forgive is an essential characteristic that we must possess to be like Jesus, and it is a part of living a Christ-centered life.  If we refuse to do so, not only will others not see Christ living in us, we will be sacrificing a home in heaven after a while.  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.