I had an NDE 5 yrs ago. It has changed my perspective completely. Was a drug reaction between prescription drugs. When I regained consciousness, lay there with my wife holding my upper body out the muck in the corral I had an image stuck in my mind. I mumbled to my wife I’ve had the strangest dream. They got me to the truck and left me there to recuperate while they pulled the calf and saved the cow. (Yes I guess I was somewhat abandoned as well! But they did save the calf🤔😂)My skin colour slowly returning from a greenish/ grey colour. They cleaned me up got me on the bed and checked my BP, it was still low forties. That image stayed in my mind, someone with shoulder length dark hair before me he had a sword on his hip. I wasn’t afraid of death, I felt at peace and even euphoric about moving on. Thought of my wife, family and then thought they will be fine Gods will prevailing. I can’t explain the emotions brought out from that image/ experience and I don’t truly know the meaning. I do know that I still do not truly fear death. I know there is an afterlife. I believe in and follow Jesus much more devoutly than before. Perhaps it was a warning. A second chance to live better and to bring others to Christ? I don’t know. But it has had a profound effect on my life. 🙏🙏🙏
Yes, the phrasing of the Lord's Prayer (and Jesus' immediate explanation of it) suggests that our forgiveness from God is linked to our willingness to forgive others.
The specific line in the prayer is: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).
Here is a breakdown of why this is considered "conditional" and how different perspectives interpret it:
*The Immediate "If/Then" Warning
Right after Jesus finishes the prayer, he provides a clear commentary that emphasizes a condition (Matthew 6:14–15):
* The Promise: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
* The Warning: "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
* The Relational View: This is the most common interpretation. It suggests that while a person's eternal salvation is secured by grace, their daily fellowship with God is hindered by bitterness. If you harbor a grudge, you "block" the pipe through which God’s peace and forgiveness flow into your life.
* The Evidence View: This view argues that a heart truly transformed by God's mercy will naturally want to show mercy. Therefore, a chronic refusal to forgive others is evidence that the person hasn't actually understood or received God's forgiveness in the first place.
* The Covenant View: Some scholars note that Jesus was speaking to an audience under the Jewish Law. They contrast this with later teachings (like those in Ephesians 4:32), which say to forgive "just as Christ has forgiven you."
*The prayer acts as a mirror. By asking God to forgive us "as" (in the same way/measure) we forgive others, we are essentially setting the standard for our own judgment. If we are stingy with mercy toward others, we are asking God to be stingy with us.
This is powerful teaching backed up multiple scriptures and Pastor Leonard.
I agree I do attempt to forgive transgressions, it’s not always an easy thing to do. That of course doesn’t mean that you have to continue dealing with the people who repeatedly wrong you. But it is as much an act of self preservation to forgive instead of having hatred or feeling victimhood forever, forgive and move on with your life.
I had an NDE 5 yrs ago. It has changed my perspective completely. Was a drug reaction between prescription drugs. When I regained consciousness, lay there with my wife holding my upper body out the muck in the corral I had an image stuck in my mind. I mumbled to my wife I’ve had the strangest dream. They got me to the truck and left me there to recuperate while they pulled the calf and saved the cow. (Yes I guess I was somewhat abandoned as well! But they did save the calf🤔😂)My skin colour slowly returning from a greenish/ grey colour. They cleaned me up got me on the bed and checked my BP, it was still low forties. That image stayed in my mind, someone with shoulder length dark hair before me he had a sword on his hip. I wasn’t afraid of death, I felt at peace and even euphoric about moving on. Thought of my wife, family and then thought they will be fine Gods will prevailing. I can’t explain the emotions brought out from that image/ experience and I don’t truly know the meaning. I do know that I still do not truly fear death. I know there is an afterlife. I believe in and follow Jesus much more devoutly than before. Perhaps it was a warning. A second chance to live better and to bring others to Christ? I don’t know. But it has had a profound effect on my life. 🙏🙏🙏
Yes, the phrasing of the Lord's Prayer (and Jesus' immediate explanation of it) suggests that our forgiveness from God is linked to our willingness to forgive others.
The specific line in the prayer is: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).
Here is a breakdown of why this is considered "conditional" and how different perspectives interpret it:
*The Immediate "If/Then" Warning
Right after Jesus finishes the prayer, he provides a clear commentary that emphasizes a condition (Matthew 6:14–15):
* The Promise: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
* The Warning: "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
* The Relational View: This is the most common interpretation. It suggests that while a person's eternal salvation is secured by grace, their daily fellowship with God is hindered by bitterness. If you harbor a grudge, you "block" the pipe through which God’s peace and forgiveness flow into your life.
* The Evidence View: This view argues that a heart truly transformed by God's mercy will naturally want to show mercy. Therefore, a chronic refusal to forgive others is evidence that the person hasn't actually understood or received God's forgiveness in the first place.
* The Covenant View: Some scholars note that Jesus was speaking to an audience under the Jewish Law. They contrast this with later teachings (like those in Ephesians 4:32), which say to forgive "just as Christ has forgiven you."
*The prayer acts as a mirror. By asking God to forgive us "as" (in the same way/measure) we forgive others, we are essentially setting the standard for our own judgment. If we are stingy with mercy toward others, we are asking God to be stingy with us.
This is powerful teaching backed up multiple scriptures and Pastor Leonard.
Thank you
John 15:12
"This is my Commandment;
that you love one another as I have loved you."
(ESV/KJV)
Show quoted text
I agree I do attempt to forgive transgressions, it’s not always an easy thing to do. That of course doesn’t mean that you have to continue dealing with the people who repeatedly wrong you. But it is as much an act of self preservation to forgive instead of having hatred or feeling victimhood forever, forgive and move on with your life.
Absolutely...carrying a hurt is unhealthy. Move on.
Pray that God will remove all bitterness. It works!