For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Matthew 6:14 and 15
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Letting go
In Greek, to forgive is the same word as to let go, to release. It was also used for cancelling a debt. When you forgive, you give up something you actually have a right to: repayment, being proved right, making the other person pay.
That does not mean pretending nothing happened, or that trust is instantly restored. It means you stop holding what they did against them. Having just taught his disciples to pray, Jesus puts it sharply: if you keep holding on, you close your hand to God's forgiveness too.
Question for today
Who am I still holding a grudge against?
Prayer
Father, you have cancelled so much of my debt. Help me let go of old grievances, even when it still hurts. Amen.
One of the 339 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →