Sorry, Theophilus, I do not think that we must first receive God's forgiveness before we can forgive others. It would be more believable if what you say means that we must first forgive ourselves before we can forgive others.

When I read all the answers by Christians on the forum, I cannot but wonder whether they go to the Bible at every turn instead of listening to their conscience, the little voice that tells us whether what we are about to do is right or wrong.