We must never forget that, as Christians, we only have hope because we have been forgiven. We can say "I have hope" because I've been baptized in Jesus' name and have received the Holy Ghost, but we must keep in mind that water baptism only works if we've repented and been forgiven. We only received the Holy Ghost because we were forgiven.
Jesus shed His precious blood so that we could have forgiveness of sins. Since forgiveness is essential to the Christian life, we should also remember Jesus' words to Peter. Peter asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?". Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee, 'Until seven times, but until seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:21-22).
Jesus told Peter that he should forgive his brother 490 times if he sins against him. Jesus was basically saying that we shouldn't keep count; if someone wrongs us and asks for forgiveness, we should forgive them.
Luke 6:38 records Jesus saying, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." We usually think of this verse in terms of giving money to the kingdom of God, but it could also be applied to forgiveness. If we give forgiveness, we will be forgiven. If we don't forgive, we will not be forgiven. If we want forgiveness, we must sow forgiveness. The same standard we use for others, the Lord will use for us.
