Forgiveness (2)

Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins,

your Father will not forgive your sins.”

The wounds and bitterness in our hearts prevent us from seeing the good in each other and instead focus only on the wrongs we've experienced.  The more we see these wrongs, the more inclined we are to judge, criticize, and even condemn each other.  What we often fail to realize in these judgments, criticisms, and condemnations is that we are imposing our self-righteousness on each other.  For instance, when we fail to forgive our spouses who have wronged us and instead hold onto the wounds and bitterness in our hearts, we approach them with judgment (even if only in our minds), criticism, and condemnation every time they make a mistake, asserting, 'You are wrong, and I am right.'  In doing so, we seek validation before God, claiming our own righteousness.  Consequently, we become prideful, unaware of the sins we commit against God, as we fail to recognize the need for His forgiveness.  So, what sin is the person committing against God?  It's the sin of not forgiving our spouses.  Despite harboring wounds and bitterness, we judge, criticize, and even (at least emotionally) condemn our spouses’ mistakes and sins.  How does this appear before God?  Moreover, consider the heart of our spouses receiving this judgment, criticism, and condemnation.  They feel unloved by us, experiencing hurt and, as a result, may find it difficult or impossible to forgive.  If couples continue to live without forgiving each other, what will happen?  Their hearts will continue accumulating wounds and bitterness.  Eventually, this accumulation may lead to an explosion of emotions towards each other, and their marital relationship is bound to break apart.