Matthew 6:15 & Confession

[NurseAmelia]

Essentially, how does Matthew 6:15 mesh with the absolution we receive in confession? Does this passage mean that if somewhere we have left someone unforgiven, then we are not forgiven? Or that when we die if we have left someone unforgiven then we are not forgiven our sins? I feel like I know the answer, but I’m doing some deep Bible studying, and sometimes, I get confused because I am not a bible scholar.

Thanks all!

 

[Valhk]

Essentially, how does Matthew 6:15 mesh with the absolution we receive in confession? Does this passage mean that if somewhere we have left someone unforgiven, then we are not forgiven? Or that when we die if we have left someone unforgiven then we are not forgiven our sins? I feel like I know the answer, but I’m doing some deep Bible studying, and sometimes, I get confused because I am not a bible scholar.

Thanks all!

It has less to do with the physical act of forgiveness and more to do with the motivations and the person behind it. Say you don’t forgive someone when they sin against you. What are you saying to that person? You take Christ’s crucifixion selfishly and declare that Christ didn’t die for that person’s sins. Read Colossians 3:12-14.

God is love.

 

[NurseAmelia]

It has less to do with the physical act of forgiveness and more to do with the motivations and the person behind it. Say you don’t forgive someone when they sin against you. What are you saying to that person? You take Christ’s crucifixion selfishly and declare that Christ didn’t die for that person’s sins. Read Colossians 3:12-14.

God is love.

Thank you for your insight. What is the physical act of forgiveness? And getting back to the original question how does Matthew 6:15 relate to confession and valid absolution?

 

[Valhk]

Thank you for your insight. What is the physical act of forgiveness? And getting back to the original question how does Matthew 6:15 relate to confession and valid absolution?

Just telling the person that you forgive them. You can physically forgive people, but avoid it spiritually. Holding a grudge is an example.

I’m sorry, but I cannot adequately answer your question about Matthew and it’s relation to confession and valid absolution. (I’m not Catholic and relatively inexperienced when it comes to Catholic doctrine.) Hopefully someone will come along and answer it

God Bless!

 

[po18guy]

It cannot be taken out of the context of the Lord’s prayer, which our Lord was teaching at that moment. As well, it refers to the beatitudes (Mt. 5:7), in which He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Here are comments form the Catena Aurea:

Rabanus: By the word, “Amen.” He shews that without doubt the Lord will bestow all things that are rightly asked, and by those that do not fail in observing the annexed condition, “For if ye forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your sins.”
Aug., Serm. in Mont., ii, 11: Here we should not overlook that of all the petitions enjoined by the Lord, He judged that most worthy of further enforcement, which relates to forgiveness of sins, in which He would have us merciful; which is the only means of escaping misery.
Pseudo-Chrys.: He does not say that God will first forgive us, and that we should after forgive our debtors. For God knows how treacherous the heart of man is, and that though they should have received forgiveness themselves, yet they do not forgive their debtors; therefore He instructs us first [p. 238] to forgive, and we shall be forgiven after.
Aug., Enchir., 74: Whoever does not forgive him that in true sorrow seeks forgiveness, let him not suppose that his sins are by any means forgiven of the Lord.
Cyprian, Tr. vii, 16: For no excuse will abide you in the day of judgment, when you will be judged by your own sentence, and as you have dealt towards others, will be dealt with yourself.
Jerome: But if that which is written, “I said, Ye are gods, but ye shall die like men,” [Ps 82:6-7] is said to those who for their sins deserve to become men instead of gods, then they to whom sins are forgiven are rightly called “men.”
Chrys.: He mentions heaven and the Father to claim our attention, for nothing so likens you to God, as to forgive him who has injured you. And it were indeed unmeet should the son of such a Father become a slave, and should one who has a heavenly vocation live as of this earth, and of this life only.

 

[Church_Militant]

Not forgiving others can impair God’s forgiveness for us. When I ever have a problem with this I pray for that person and ask God to forgive them even as He has forgiven me. None of us deserve forgiveness, but God loves us all anyway.

Remember,
** *Matthew 5:44-46 ***

*** 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? ***

 

[Even_So]

From what i have read, be ready to forgive if they ask it. I had a friend say recently he went up and forgave a person for wronging him. That’s fine, but unnecessary as it could provoke anger if the person does not think they did anything wrong. If you let it bother you and can’t get past it, it isn’t just bad for you spiritually and physically, but you may charged for it at judgement day. So ask God to help you get over it and move on.

 

[JRKH]

Essentially, how does Matthew 6:15 mesh with the absolution we receive in confession? Does this passage mean that if somewhere we have left someone unforgiven, then we are not forgiven? Or that when we die if we have left someone unforgiven then we are not forgiven our sins? I feel like I know the answer, but I’m doing some deep Bible studying, and sometimes, I get confused because I am not a bible scholar.

Thanks all!

For me - this ties into Mt 7:21 where Jesus says that not everyone who cries “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom. It means that one must not just pay lip service, but actually BE or
BEcome - and do the will of the Father.

CM above, references Mt 5:44-46. …Now expand that a bit and you get to vs 5:48…“you must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. Perfect in our love for one another. Not forgiving others is a bar to that perfection.

One other thought along this line…we often say that God doesn’t send people to hell - they choose to go themselves - refusing to forgive another is likewise a choice - How can God forgive us our debts (which are many) when we choose not to forgive?

Other verses and passages come racing in…the master and the ungrateful servant…Judge not - for we will be judged with the same judgement that we use towards others…

Sorry if I’m not making much sense…very early and I have to get to work…
Will be very interested in hearing your take on the matter.

Peace
James