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Pre-Cross system required the people to do something FIRST before God will do something.
Mark 11:26 (AMP)
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.
Matthew 6:14,15 (NIV)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Forgiveness is important so you can be free of the issue, so you won't be stressed, and so you won't give power to that person. Also, so your healing can take place. However, the order has changed from us doing something FIRST to what Jesus has done FIRST. Since Lord Jesus has done something FIRST, we are now enabled to do, for God's strength and ability enables us.
The requirement after the Cross is based on Jesus forgiving us FIRST, then it makes it easier for us to forgive our self and others.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
This is an Old Covenant pattern/requirement, because to keep this command would be based on your own strength and ability. Humans aren't able to love God and others unconditionally unless God loves us first and puts His love in our heart so we can do it...keep the command...operate in it.
He First loved us: 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
We love because he first loved us.
God put His love in us: Romans 5:5 (NIV)
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
This is the love requirement/pattern after the Cross. God loves us FIRST so now we are enabled/empowered to love Him and others.
