Christian ForgivenessNäide

A CRITERION TO ETERNAL REST

When you give what you have in order to receive what you want, that is known as trade-by-barter—an exchange without the use of money. In a deeper spiritual sense, forgiveness operates in a similar way. The only thing you can exchange forgiveness with… is forgiveness.

Scripture makes this truth clear in Matthew 6:14–15: only forgiveness can “purchase” forgiveness. Yet many people speak as though the heavenly host will weigh their excuses or judge their grievances on the judgement day, when it comes to forgiving others, forgetting that the very first criterion for entering Heaven is the forgiveness of sins.

No matter how much you have done to “credit” your heavenly account, unforgiveness will deny you eternal rest. It all comes back to love. True love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) and makes forgiveness possible—even when it is difficult.

Before you conclude that someone is unworthy of your forgiveness, pause and remember:
It is A CRITERION TO ETERNAL REST.

Let’s Pray!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Word. Help me to understand Your will concerning forgiveness. Deliver me from every chain of bitterness and make me worthy of eternal life at last. In Jesus’ name, Amen!