"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25 KJV).

Forgiveness reaches further than you think. That is why it is appropriate to live your life aware of the love that God has extended toward you. Forgiveness is an extension of God's love. And we are commanded in God's Word to not keep forgiveness just for ourselves, but we are to dispense it when the occasion arises.

That is love; and love is the bond of one who is perfect. It is an attitude. Matthew 18:23-35 gives an illustration of Jesus' attitude concerning receiving and giving forgiveness.

A certain king forgave his servant of a ten million dollar debt. Yet that servant was not thankful enough to forgive a small twenty dollar debt someone owed him. When the king found out, he threw that servant into prison until he paid the debt he owed. Jesus said "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

We had sinned against God, rebelled against God, ignored God, violated God, and yet we came to the Lord and He forgave us when He washed away our sins. Then somebody else wrongs us in a way that is certainly much less severe than having been doomed for hell. They ask us for forgiveness and we want to hold it against them. God is very displeased with that.

If you won't forgive and walk in love, then God won't forgive you. On the contrary, If you make the decision to walk in love, the love of God will well up in you because of that decision. You will see that God's love will manifest and flow through you. Your head may not understand it and your body may not like it, but on the inside of you you'll have joy and peace.

God has forgiven you a tremendous debt. And what folks have done to you doesn't come close to what God has forgiven you for. Thank the Lord for His forgiveness today. Love is the bond of "perfectness," and God has given every believer the ability to walk in this love.

Scripture References: Luke 6:37-38; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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