Lakeview Baptist Church

Emily is a senior at Lakeview Christian School. She is an active member and volunteer at Lakeview Baptist Church.

Have you ever wondered why it is absolutely necessary that we forgive someone? Simple, if you're a believer God has forgiven you. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to DIE a HORRIBLE DEATH for YOU & ME! God doesn't forgive us with the human "forgiveness" that sometimes forgives but refuses to forget. Once He forgives us He no longer ever brings it up & He is faithful & just to forgive no matter how many times we commit the same offense. However, this truth about God does not justify poeple becoming a Christian to excuse their sin habits with the thought process of "God will always forgive me no matter how many times I sin because of 1 John 1:9." Psalm 5:4-5 says "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity."

God hates the sin & consequently the sinner, but He also loves them with Christ's love--forgiveness. The only prayer of a sinner that God will hear is a plea for forgiveness, which He will hear & if the heart-motives are right He will acknowledge & honor. Once you are His child the desire to sin will decrease as the desire to please God & know more about Him increase. When you're a genuine believer the thought process I described earlier seems ridiculous. Since God is always going to forgive us why can't we forgive others? Is it a pride issue? If so I hope you become closer to the cross, for when you are there it becomes harder for you to remain arrogant. Matther 6:12-15 " And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. A-men. 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." Convicting right? God said it, not me.

I hope having read this you understand the importance & not just that, but the necessity of forgiveness to others...believers or not.