In the Large Catechism, Luther says, "But if you forgive, you have this comfort and assurance, that you are forgiven in heaven. This is not because of your forgiving. For God forgives freely and without condition, out of pure grace, because He has so promised, as the Gospel teaches. But God says this in order that He may establish forgiveness as our confirmation and assurance, as a sign alongside of the promise, which agrees with this prayer in Luke 6:37, "Forgive, as you will be forgiven."

Jesus does not forgive us because we forgive others, but rather because Jesus forgives us we freely and joyfully forgive others. Because we are freed from sin, death, world, and the power of the devil, we now, in Christ, desire to free others in holy absolution. As St. Paul says, It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives within us. In Holy Absolution, we are put to death in this world, meaning that we no longer live for the things of this world, but rather we live for righteousness and eternal life. We live no longer for ourselves in this world, but for Christ and our neighbor. Because we are forgiven, we gladly go out and cover all in the blood of Jesus. Faith receives forgiveness from Jesus, trusts in His mercy, and then that same faith goes out and lives just as Jesus lives for all.

For faith is always active in love for the neighbor. Yet, we still struggle with the flesh, with the burdens of the world, and the temptations of the devil. In short, we fail habitually at forgiving our neighbor and living a life of joyful absolution with all. In this failure we must repent and seek Jesus' forgiveness, to absolve us our hardened hearts. For faith always loves, always forgives, always helps, and yet our sinful flesh fights us everyday and drags us into despair.

Take heart then, you who are loved by God. For Jesus does forgive you freely and unconditionally. He does not attach strings to his forgiveness, but forgives you unceasingly. Jesus assumed all your unforgiving days and withholdoing moments and put them to death on the cross. Our confidence then is not how forgiving we are, but rather how forgiving our Lord Jesus is. When we forgive others, it is not to gain acceptance before the Father, but rather it is a gift from our Lord Jesus that unburdens our conscience by letting Him deal with the sin, rather than us. So, my friends, take heart. Jesus forgives you and grants you The Holy Spirit to forgive others. When you fail, be at peace and know that Jesus forgives you and will always forgive you all of your sin, Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull