Sermon On The Mount: Part 19

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles]. Matthew 5:38-41

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Look at what our Lord tells us and then think on how so many of us act. Jesus tells us to give more than the court demands of us. Jesus tells us to allow ourselves to get hit twice. He tells us to forgive others their willful and reckless sins, sins that  they knew they were committing. This is not human nature, we absolutely cannot do these things on our own. The only way these things can happen is if Jesus is being greater in us then anything that is in this world. 

Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

We are told that we should just continue to forgive people regardless of how many times a person willfully and recklessly sins. Why would Jesus say these things? He tells us to act this way because we are forgiven by our Father unconditionally and countlessly.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So here are some scriptures that will author and finish our faith on how Jesus will empower and completely enable us to forgive others.

I have made Your Name known to them and revealed Your character and Your very [a]Self, and I will continue to make [You] known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be in them [felt in their hearts] and that I [Myself] may be in them. John 17:26

Jesus forgave the people who were killing Him without them asking for it, without them believing they needed it, and without them acknowledging Him as Lord. His Love, the Love that did these things, now permanently abides within us.

For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17