Forgiven Thus Forgiving

In the days wherein Christianity has been consistently presented as a relationship solely between God and an individual, we have all but lost the concept that to be a Christian is not only to become one with God, but to become one with all other Christians. The early Christians knew nothing of a faith that could reconcile them to God but not reconcile them with others. The reason why is because Jesus never allowed for the idea that we could be made right with God, yet still live in a state of fractured fellowship with each other. In fact, Jesus actually taught that if will do not forgive others, it is evidence that we have never truly experienced the forgiveness of God for ourselves. Using a striking illustration, Jesus shows why Christians must be constantly and proactively forgiving people. Our willingness to forgive everyone for everything is evidence that we have an understanding and proper value for just how forgiven we are by God. The forgiven will not withhold forgiveness.