Jesus taught that God is unable to forgive us for our offensive attitudes and behaviour unless we first forgive those who have hurt, abused or offended us. We need to ask God to help us remember all those who have offended us or that we hold a grudge against and to declare that we forgive them and that we repent of having bitterness, resentment and unforgivingness in our heart towards them.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Matt 6:14-15]
It is also important to ask those we have offended for their forgiveness too.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. [Mat 5:23-24]
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