279. Does our forgiveness from God depend upon our ability to forgive others?
No. It may appear that Jesus makes our being forgiven dependent upon our forgiving others when He says, "forgive us ... as we also have forgiven" (Matthew 6:12). Regarding this, the Scriptures teach two complementary truths. First, God has forgiven the sins of the world solely for Christ's sake; thus, I cannot earn forgiveness by forgiving others. Second, if we stubbornly refuse to forgive others, we reject God's forgiveness for them and for us.
Romans 5:2, 10 Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ... For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:35 So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
Note: The forgiveness your receive "is not because of your forgiving. For God forgives freely and without condition, out of pure grace, because He has so promised, as the Gospel teaches" (LC III 96). See the Large Catechism, Part III, paragraphs 93-98 for a more complete explanation of how our forgiveness can be a sign of God's greater mercy and forgiveness.
Eventual commentary
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