Forgiveness Does Not Have to Be Asked for .

Forgiveness includes all people and all grievances. Perhaps, humankind is more amenable to forgive a brother than to forgive others. The ethical standard of the Lord required us to forgive all people.
In Mark 11:25, the Lord taught, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” The word, anyone, of this passage, extends our forgiveness to all people. Christians are to forgive all people before they pray asking God to forgive them.
In Col 3:13, Paul teaches that we are to forgive whatever grievances we have: “ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” God holds Christians to the high standard where they are to forgive everyone whatever the grievances. Of course, that is exactly what Christians receive from Him.
Forgiveness Does Not Have to Be Asked for. All of us commit sins against one another. A slight, a harsh word, a debt overlooked, all of these and more happen in all human relationships. Often we stand back, offended, waiting for the husband or wife, friend or neighbor, or Christian brother or sister to make the first move.
John teaches that we should pray for the one committing the sin and God will forgive him. Do not wait to be asked to forgive is the lesson. John wrote: " If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death" (1 John 5:16-17). The sins to which John refers are willful, continual, and sometimes against the Holy Spirit.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” John used love and hate to separate the children of God from the children of the devil. In 1 John 3:10, he wrote: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”
Even God does not forsake completely those who are evil and unrighteous giving them the sun and rain to sustain their lives. The ethical and moral standard of Jesus is clear, and the result of maintaining it is clear: love your enemies and do good to them.

Peace and love,

Sue

"Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". (Luke 9:23)