In Luke 6, Jesus Christ gives us some important commandments and their accompanying promises to us.
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven"
In Luke 7, the Lord gives the parable of the two debtors, reminding us that He has forgiven all of our debt. How can we, therefore, refuse to forgive others of the small things they do against us?
That is the reality! God has forgiven ALL of our debt! He gives us time to repent and, if we do, He forgives us fully and it is like we never had sinned. Our relationship with God is not hurt or hampered. He forgives us freely, and loves us as if we had never sinned.
He does not deny us any blessings if we fully repent, and treats us as if we were perfect and sinless and spotless (and, indeed, after repenting we are perfect and spotless and sinless).
Do I believe in this same principle in my life?
Do I treat others as God treats me?
I think that is what verse 31 is really saying. Treat others how you want to be treated is what it says.
Well how do I want to be treated?
I want others to treat me the same way that God treats me!
Do I treat others that way?
Do I love as God loves?
Do I forgive as He forgives?
Am I merciful as He is merciful (v 36)?
I think I have a long way to go, but I want to be and do these things. If my friend or my wife or my child commits a mistake, will I forgive them? Will I allow it to be as if nothing had ever happened between us? Will I forgive AND forget? Will I be like the Savior who said “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow?” Am I as ANXIOUS to forgive and to move on as God is?
I need to be.
