I am impressed with our responsibility, not only to God but also to each other concerning forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness is no simple matter to be glossed over. It is an important principle of life in Christ. Forgiveness brings us closer to Christ. It can bring us closer to each other also.
    In Matt. 6:12 Jesus teaching the model prayer says, "and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
    I'm sure that statement surprised some but not as many as when Jesus continued and said in Matt 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive you your transgressions."
  I am convinced that the Lord wants us to forgive our brothers and sisters. Some denominations say that I am to forgive anything at anytime so that I wont be carrying a grudge. After all Matt 18:21-22 says, "Then Peter came and said to Him 'Lord how often shall my brother sin and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
      Some denominations say that we should give blanket forgiveness to all who offend us. This goes right along with their blanket salvation for all, or at least for the "elect."
    To find out exactly what the meaning of forgiveness is I looked to Webster. Webster's Dictionary equates forgiveness with pardon and excuse. I am reminded of the slave in Matt 18:23-35 whose debt was excused by the king. He pleaded with the king for mercy and the king gave him forgiveness.
      In instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus talked about forgiveness, Matt 26:28 saying, "for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sin." He wants to forgive us of our sins. We find that Jesus thought forgiveness so important that He shed His blood and died to forgive our sins. Don't forget, He wants us to do something before we are forgiven of our sins, though.
    John the Baptist required the Jews to do something before they were forgiven. The requirement is recorded in Mark 1:4, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." He was asking them to repent of their sins before they were forgiven.
    Jesus Christ extended forgiveness from the cross in the statement He made, recorded in Luke 23:34, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." It would be inconsistent to think that Jesus forgave them all right on the spot. There were those present that He had condemned just a few days earlier, recorded in Matt the 23^rd chapter. I think we could equate them with the tares of Matt 13:24-30
    This forgiveness was for those who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, repent and obey Him. Jesus predicted that He would draw all men to Him if He were lifted up. Of course we know not every person believed. The cross-changed many people. Peter offered the solution to the problem of sin and pardon on the day of Pentecost and always.
    Peter required the Jews and "all people everywhere" to repent before their sins are forgiven. Since there was a change in covenants, they were also to obey the new commands that Jesus gave through His apostles. In Acts 2:38 Peter said, "Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Before we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit that seals and guarantees our redemption, we are to do something. Not in the way of working for our salvation but of obedience. We are to repent of our sins and be baptized.
    Jesus wants us to forgive each other but something must be done before we forgive or are forgiven. We need, as the offender, to go express repentance of our sin to the offended party. As the offended one, we need to go to those offending and tell them about the offense and require them to repent. Jesus said in Luke 17:3, "Be on your guard, if your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." Matt 18:15-17 is even more explicit about going and requiring the offender to repent. It is unbiblical to expect anyone to forgive someone without