Matthew 6:14-15
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:23-35
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Forgiveness is a very important part of making it to heaven. Have you ever had that time when someone did you wrong and you were so angry that you could not forgive them. Maybe they told a secret that you told them not to tell everyone and they told them. Maybe you loaned them money and they never paid it back.
One of the most known things of being a Christian is the become a forgiving person. This is something that even Jesus said as he hung on the cross in Luke.
Luke 23:34
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Also He taught us to pray this in Matthew.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We even have to forgive someone if we were not the ones in the wrong. At time that can be very hard to do.
I have heard people say because of what happened that they were going to pay them back for what they did to them. When that happens you might say that "I'm going to get even with you." You will retaliate and make them feel pain like they caused you or "they owe me for what they did."
Can you imagine if Jesus said you owe me for what I did for you? If He said you owe me all of the pain and suffering that I endured. That would be beyond our mind would be willing to give and yet He did that for you and I.
In the Lord's Prayer as Jesus taught, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."
Forgiveness is about letting it go and deciding not to retaliate and quit thinking about ways to get revenge. Forgiveness is about focusing on better thoughts praying for help from God and getting back to a happy life. Best way I can think to say like I always say it is about "Getting your joy back."
Un-forgiveness will destroy your mind and that is exactly what the Satan wants. If he can still your joy then he already has you. Why? Because, the Bible says back in Matthew 6:15.
Matthew 6:15
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness does not mean staying in an unsafe situation or letting someone hurt you over and over. Forgiveness is letting go of your right to get back at someone. Setting boundaries, stepping back, or keeping your distance from a harmful person is wise, safe, and fully supported by Scripture.
We must sometimes learn to keep our distance from those that continue to hurt us. This can even sometimes turn into violence or very harsh words.
The Bible even mentions this in Proverbs.
Proverbs 4:14-15
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.
Prudent meaning: To avoid unnecessary risks and plan for the future.
Jesus tells us to be as wise as a serpent and yet harmless like a dove.
Matthew 10:16
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Forgiveness is something that is for you to have the peace and joy that you deserve. Jesus gives us that same un-forgiveness that we should have and share with others.
I know that there is people out there that have hurt you, been mean, gruel, and have talked bad about you. However you don't want their problems to keep you out of heaven.
The best thing that you can do is to forgive and pray for them.