What Jesus Did! 'Forgive' — Matthew 6:14-15

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
— Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

How can we dare go before God and ask him to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others? God's grace is to be shared! If we do not share that grace, then it sours in us and we lose its blessing. We are forgiven to be agents of forgiveness. On a daily basis, our awareness of God's grace should help us re-start the forgiveness cycle in our own lives by forgiving others before we ask for our own forgiveness. This desire to forgive and bless is just another evidence of being children of God who long to liberate others from their sin and bless them with grace.

Today's Prayer

Holy and exalted God, thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Help me let go of all bitterness and vindictiveness and forgive those who have harmed me. May your work of redemption and grace touch their hearts as it has mine. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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25 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Hard but Liberating Truth
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"[As Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he emphasized this crucial truth:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will..."
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"If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "
Matthew 6:15
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"[As Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he reminded them:] "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.""
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Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:15 -- But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 6:14-15 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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