In the Christian doctrine, the concept of pardon, or forgiveness, is central to the relationship between God and humanity. The Bible teaches that God's forgiveness is available to all who genuinely repent and seek His mercy. However, Scripture also emphasizes that this divine pardon is withheld from those who refuse to forgive others. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament.

One of the most direct teachings on this subject is found in the Gospel of Matthew. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus illustrates the consequences of an unforgiving heart. The parable tells of a servant who, after being forgiven a massive debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. When the master learns of this, he revokes his pardon and punishes the unforgiving servant. Jesus concludes the parable with a stern warning: "This is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart" (Matthew 18:35).

Further emphasizing this principle, Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours" (Matthew 6:14-15). This passage underscores the conditional nature of divine forgiveness, linking it directly to our willingness to forgive others.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the importance of forgiveness in his epistles. In his letter to the Ephesians, he exhorts believers to "be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Here, Paul highlights the model of Christ's forgiveness as the standard for Christian behavior, implying that withholding forgiveness is inconsistent with the grace believers have received.

The withholding of pardon from the unforgiving is not merely a punitive measure but serves as a reflection of the transformative power of God's grace. The expectation is that those who have experienced God's forgiveness will be moved to extend the same grace to others. The failure to do so suggests a lack of genuine understanding or acceptance of God's mercy.

In summary, the Bible presents a clear and consistent message: God's pardon is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others. This teaching serves as both a warning and an invitation to embody the grace that has been freely given to us.Mark 11:26
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 6:37
Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... is not Satan, [766]386; what withheld, the Roman ... Egyptians, drowned, [1274]358;
irascible and unforgiving, [1275]380. ... 1436]ib.; to, a means of pardon, [1437]ib ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... themselves set fire to world, [526]458; had need of pardon themselves, as ... Stephen,
[1132]279; withheld from him who withholds, [1133]279 sq., [1134]283, [1135 ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... mind Christ's interpretation of the sixth commandment, where the angry, unforgiving
spirit is ... that this is because they are bad, and therefore withheld by God. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

What is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Pliny the Younger? | GotQuestions.org

Pardon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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