“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Why are we supposed to forgive? Good question.
Peter expected seven times to forgive to be impressive. The Jewish law only required three times. Jesus is basically saying there should be no limit when it come to forgiveness. The point is that if you are keeping score, you’re not really forgiving. So, do you keep score?
Jesus then tells a story about forgiveness in Matthew 18:23-35. A story that gives us the why of forgiveness. Why are we supposed to forgive?
BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
“The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”
Matthew 18:27 (NIV)
The King’s response is compassion with no strings attached. Lesson: We owe a debt to God. God gives us the opportunity to start over, to have a clean slate. That is the Gospel–the Good News. And God expects me to do for others as He has done for me.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ ‘But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.”’
Matthew 18:28-30 (NIV)
The forgiven servant’s reaction is harsh. Why did he respond that way? He didn’t understand the core of forgiveness.
BECAUSE RESENTMENT MAKES US MISERABLE
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.”
Matthew 18:33-34 (NIV)
The result of all this was torture and punishment. Some people live that out each day of their lives now. Bitterness and resentment can control your life. Forgiveness sets you free.
BECAUSE I’LL NEED FORGIVENESS IN THE FUTURE
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 18:35 (NIV)
Forgiveness is to be a way of life for the followers of Jesus. Where we accept God’s forgiveness and offer God’s forgiveness to others, so it is a constant part of our life.
Years ago, I talked to someone and said to them: “You can be forgiven.” “But it’s not fair for me to get off scot-free. Someone has to pay.” Someone has. Jesus has paid the price so we could be forgiven.
WHO DO YOU NEED TO FORGIVE?
Is there anyone you blame for your unhappiness?
Are you keeping score? They owe me. You had expectations that haven’t been met, maybe your were hurt. The power of the Gospel will help you escape the prison of your anger through forgiveness.
Basically, there are two major options for facing your hurts: (1) Review it. Rehearse it over and over. OR (2) Release it. God’s plan is for us to experience His forgiveness and then we pass that forgiveness on to others.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
FINAL THOUGHTS:
We all need grace. You need grace. And until you are ready to acknowledge your need for grace and then extend grace to others, you won’t be set free. You are in a prison of your own making.
Grace is given to us by Jesus on the cross. How will you respond to that grace? Accept God’s forgiveness and grace, He has paid the debt of sin for you. But you have to acknowledge your need for forgiveness and grace with a humble heart. Then and only then will you be able to give forgiveness and grace to someone else.
