“If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15, NIV).

     At times the Scriptures appear contradictory. The passage above is just one example. Jesus’ statement apparently conflicts with the idea that we are all saved by grace through our faith in Christ. In other words, God does not forgive us because of the good things we do but as a result of our dependence upon Jesus for our salvation. How, then, can it also be true that God will not forgive us when we refuse to forgive others?

     One afternoon, Cathy asked me to go with her to the mall. I didn’t really want to go. I had preached twice that morning. I was tired and grumpy. I begrudgingly went with her regardless, but I pouted like a three-year-old who didn’t get any ice cream.

     While Cathy went through one store after another, I decided to take a seat in the middle of the mall and pout with the other husbands. Cathy, noticing that I was unhappy, bought me a Cinnabon and handed it to me. I love Cinnabons. I could live on Cinnabons. However, I hadn’t enough room in my constitution for both a Cinnabon and my pouty attitude. If I accepted Cathy’s token of peace I would have to let go of my resentment for going to the mall.

     God doesn’t refuse to forgive us when we refuse to forgive others. We are the ones who refuse God’s gift. God’s forgiveness and our resentment cannot occupy the same space in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with bitterness toward another, grace cannot enter for lack of room. Grace must stand waiting outside the heart’s door until we make space available to receive the gift God is offering.

     The good news is that I did receive Cathy’s peace offering and I enjoyed every bite of it. The better news is that she still wants to be married to me—but only by God’s grace.

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, please remove from me any bitterness in my heart whether I am aware of it or not. I give you permission to do whatever housekeeping you must in order to make room for the good gifts of grace you wish to offer me today. Through Christ I pray. , “If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15, NIV). Amen.