"True forgiveness serves a dual purpose: it purifies our own heart while extending God's grace to a fallen brother or sister, especially when they are too weak to stand alone."

 

1. Forgiveness as a Means of Keeping a Pure Heart (The Internal Benefit)

· Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This directly links our receiving God's grace to our willingness to extend it to others.

· Hebrews 12:15: "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Unforgiveness is described as a "bitter root" that corrupts us from within.

2. Forgiveness as Extending Grace to the Weak (The External Act)

· Galatians 6:1-2: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This perfectly aligns with your "can't stand on their own" imagery. Forgiveness is part of the gentle restoration process.

· Romans 5:6, 8: "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly... God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is the ultimate model. God didn't wait for us to become strong or worthy; He forgave us in our weakness. Our forgiveness of others should mirror this grace.

· The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35): This story highlights the hypocrisy of receiving immense forgiveness from God (the king) while refusing to extend minor forgiveness to a fellow servant who is pleading for patience ("Have patience with me..."). The one needing forgiveness is portrayed as powerless and indebted.