Matthew 6:14 (TEV)
"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you."

With imperfection being a part of our natures, it is often very difficult to forgive someone who has wronged us. It is all too easy to assume the position of God and seek to repay someone who has caused us pain.

But God calls us to forgive others because He forgives us when we sin against Him. God is bountiful in mercy when we turn to Him in repentance. And since He is so generous, we should show similar mercy to those who wrong us. Especially when it is hard to do so.

Another reason for exhibiting forgiveness is because not doing so usually hurts the person who refuses to forgive much more than the person who wronged him. Many lives have been ruined because some have continued for a long time to nurture grudges. The Lord wants us to live abundant lives full of joy, not lives darkened by a desire for vengeance.

Jesus tells us to forgive those who sin against us because doing so helps to closer conform our characters to His. Showing mercy has an ennobling effect, and helps us to live in genuine peace with each other and with God.

May the Lord helps us learn to forgive and show mercy to one another as He does to us.