"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

                               -Matthew 5:7 

The Word of God tells us time and time again that, in order to be forgiven ourselves, we must forgive others. Or, in other words, in order to obtain mercy we ourselves must be merciful.

"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." 

                            -Matthew 6:12

I recently commented during Sunday School at our church that, by praying these words, many Christians are really praying a curse on themself. By asking God to forgive us in the same was we forgive others ("as we forgive our debtors"), many times that would mean, "Lord, please forgive me...that is, until I do something else wrong. Then you can rehash it all, and hold everything I've ever done against me." After all, that seems to be the way in which most "Christians" forgive others, isn't it? As sad as it may be, many times children of God haven't the slightest idea of what it means to truly forgive someone.

"For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."

                            -Psalm 86:13 

The mercy of God is immeasurable. Likewise, our mercy should also me immeasurable. We should grant forgiveness to those who ask it, as well as to those who don't ask it. In doing so, we are assured that we will be shown mercy by God Himself - and if you're like me, you need all of His mercy that you can get!

According to Psalm 51:4, all sins are ultimately against God Himself. If someone lies to us, they've sinned against God and violated His holiness. If someone steals from us, they've done more than just do us wrong; they've transgressed the express commandment of the Lord Almighty (Exodus 20:15)! With that said, we should be able to grant mercy to those who sin against us without hesitation, if the One Whose name is Holy is able to be merciful toward them (Isaiah 57:15).

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." 

                            -Lamentations 3:22-23