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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

25 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Hard but Liberating Truth
Devo: Together in Christ
"[As Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he emphasized this crucial truth:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will..."
Matthew 6:14
Devo: Today's Verse
"If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "
Matthew 6:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"[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.""
Incentive to Forgive
Illustration of Matthew 6:15
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:15 -- But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
See All 25 Related Resources about Matthew 6:14-15

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Gentiles Were Coming to Christ' (Acts 15:1-3)
"While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: "Unless you are circumcised as..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 1 Thessalonians 2:18
"Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Supporting Those Who Serve'
"Dear Friend, The support of those who work for Me as their calling and vocation has always been a touchy issue among some of My people. Paul ran into..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Enemies into Friends' (1 Ti. 1:16-17)
"Dear Father, king of the ages, Thank you for the cleansing of our sins through Christ. Thank you that you take people who are in outright opposition...."

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.

More What Jesus Did!