Matthew 6:12-15

And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. RSV

One of the frequent commercial jingles around the Christian season is the phrase: “Give the gift that keeps on giving.” I think that one of the gifts we can give others–as well as ourselves–is the gift of forgiveness.

I often see us, when we interact with the people around us, like balls in a pinball machine. Did you ever play pinball as a kid (or even as an adult)? You watch that little ball bounce around, often rather fiercely, against all the obstacles, racking up points. Well, imagine that you were able to release not one but dozens of balls into the game. Not only would the balls be bouncing off the obstacles, trying to avoid anything and everything in their paths, but they would also–with the same intensity–be bouncing off each other. Not really intentionally, but simply because that’s the nature of a pinball game.

As human beings, we are born sinful. We tend to be demanding, egocentric, selfish. Even at our best, we grate against each other, do the wrong things, make the wrong choices. Like dozens of balls in a pinball machine, we bounce off each other, sometimes accomplishing something worthwhile, but more often changing the course of another’s path, interfering with their goals, bruising their feelings. And, of course, because we see things from our own perspective, we don’t see ourselves as the culprits as much as we see others as interfering with us.

The fact is, even at our best, we often bounce off others causing them physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial harm.

The Lord Jesus, when He taught His disciples (and us), to pray added two very interesting (and related) phrases:

• And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us)
• For if you forgive men their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses (sins), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (sins).

There many be scads of reasons why Father God connected the forgiveness of our own sins to our willingness to forgive others, but the fact is, He did . . . and we should! Forgiveness is that gift that truly “keeps on giving,” not only because it benefits us, but it truly heals relationships. Even when we forgive those who don’t want to be forgiven, when we set aside our resentment and anger to reach out in forgiveness, we give to ourselves.

I know that, in my own life, when I have held grudges, I have done so in some kind of extended punishment for the person with whom I’m angry. I figure that if I stay angry, they will continue to be hurt by my anger. Do you want to know the truth? Usually that person hasn’t the foggiest idea that I’m angry and, if they do know, they don’t care. In other words, all the effort and energy I’m spending on maintaining my anger isn’t doing anything except harming me.

Not only am I exerting energy and effort needlessly, but I’m actually consciously rebelling against the commandments of God.

Why would I want to do either?

As we all look toward the beginning of the New Year, perhaps this would be the time to look at our resentments of old, to finally and completely put them at the Throne, and to walk away. To forgive those who have sinned against us and to completely and fully embrace the forgiveness of our Lord, paid by His precious blood.