Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Even now this verse tends to get misused. The focus gets put in the wrong place. We often quote to each other, judge not. But we very often forget to do what Jesus does here and tie our mercy to our own redemption. We should forgive because we have been forgiven. However, Jesus goes so far as to say we will be forgiven only if we forgive.
If I bear ill will in my heart towards another and then ask for forgiveness, I ask in vain.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness! Only by Your great mercy do we have the opportunity or ability to show mercy to others. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.