Who was Jesus speaking to in Matthew 6:15? Believers or unbelievers?
Does it matter if an unbeliever forgives so as to be forgiven? Or does an unbeliever have to do something else first with God?
In other words, Jesus's audience was believers in Matthew 6:15.
So this means that Jesus actually was talking to believers and telling them that if they do not forgive, then they will not be forgiven.
This means born again believers have a choice to follow God or not.
The new birth does not take away free will and we are not love robots.
Nor does God force us to be saved once we accept Him.
We still can choose this day in whom we will serve.
So you believe Christ called unsaved men (his disciples) as sheep out among wolves? Do you believe unsaved men were sent to preach to the the house of Israel? Do you believe a man can be saved without being born again? Jesus said that one cannot even enter the Kingdom of God without being born again. Jesus also appeared to be surprised that Nicodemus did not know about the concept of being born again, too. For Jesus said,
"You are Israel's teacher" ... "and do you not understand these things? "
Anyways, what proof is there that the disciples were born again when they met Jesus?
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
But what about the Holy Spirit?
Well, the disciples knew the Spirit.
Also, the Spirit was with the disciples (even though the Spirit did not live in them yet). How so?
John 14:17 says,
"He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.
But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you."
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