Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 18:35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you (and not forgive you of your trespasses), if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

GOD not only wants us to forgive those who have trespassed against us, but requires it.   He commands us to love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them, for this kind of love is the mark of a true child of GOD.  Consider how that JESUS, whom we crucified, has forgiven us all and loves us so very much.  O the joy that GOD has for those that will show this manner of love and forgiveness for others.

Many believe that when we are angry with others, that through this anger the devil is able to bring bondage into the offending party's life, and that such bondage could hinder their relationship with GOD, or even cost them their salvation.  What a horrible thought to think that through our anger and unforgiveness, that we might cause someone else to stumble, fall, or even perish.  If this belief is correct, (let the reader judge and discern), then it would explain GOD's position on this issue, and show why GOD has made such an extreme penalty, (of not forgiving us), if we refuse to forgive others.  The early church believed that anger and unforgiveness caused the HOLY SPIRIT to depart from such individuals, and prevented him (the HOLY SPIRIT) from dwelling in them as he would have done otherwise.  What a terrible price to pay for unforgiveness.

You may say: "Now wait just a minute - Jesus said that I needed to forgive others only if they come to me and ask."   Our advice:  Don't go there.  Remember that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of GOD, and we are saved by his grace.  Extend your grace unto those who sin against you by forgiving them even before they ask, and be assured that God will also forgive you when you have need, even before you ask.  Know that retaining anger and being unforgiving for even a short period of time can cause you great harm.

Many ministers believe that unforgiveness is the root of many of the diseases common to men.  There are many testimonies of how that GOD healed a person after they forgave all.  One evangelist put it this way:  Unforgiveness is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses against God's people, and it is one of the deadliest.  It can cause everything from mental depression, to health problems such as cancer and arthritis.  Another minister put it this way:  Unforgiveness causes torment. Not necessarily to the person not being forgiven, but to the unforgiver. Unforgiveness often manifests itself as sickness and disease.  Unforgiveness can not only cost one their health, but also their soul.