Forgiveness

This week reading the following scriptures about  forgiveness gave me some important insights.

The first scripture was in  Matthew 6: 14-15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I thought this was something really important to remember and focus on, the Lord can only give us forgiveness, if we also offer that same forgiveness to others. 

I dont think though that this is a good motivation to forgive others, we shouldn't be forgiving solely because of the hope that we can have our own salvation, but we should forgive because we know the peace that comes through forgiveness, and our love for others should motivate us to desire to show them that love through forgiveness. 

Another scripture that I liked in relation to this was D&C 64: 9-10  "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men"

That scripture right there lays it out clearly, simply, and not only that, it is one of the most recent words on the subject. I've heard some argue that you only need to forgive a certain number of times, that is what the bible says. But we have a newer law, a higher law that the Lord requires of us, and that is to forgive and forgive again, because we are not asked to judge, only forgive.