Devotional: Forgiving!
Matthew 18: 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Peter once asked for a measuring rod—“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”
Jesus told him to put the measuring rod away and to practice forgiveness.
Read on the parable of the unforgiving servant – Matt 18: 23 – 35
The context of this parable is not salvation, but forgiveness between brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet Jesus warned that God cannot forgive those who do not have humble and repentant hearts.
We reveal the true condition of our hearts by the way we treat others.
When our hearts are humble and repentant, we will gladly forgive our brothers.
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
— Psalm 86:5
Jesus’ parable teaches us a vital truth: it is wrong to think,
“God does not forgive me without repentance; therefore, I will not forgive others until they repent.”
That reasoning is flawed because we are not God.
He stands as One who has never sinned and never needed forgiveness.
We, on the other hand, stand as those who have been forgiven much and who need continual forgiveness.
Therefore, if it were possible, we should be far quicker to forgive than God Himself—because we are forgiven sinners who must also forgive.
Having been forgiven an infinite debt, what right do we have to withhold forgiveness over the small debts others owe us?
If anyone has the right to withhold forgiveness, it is God—and yet He forgives more freely and completely than anyone we know.
It is important, however, to distinguish forgiveness from reconciliation.
Reconciliation requires agreement and repentance on both sides, but forgiveness can be one-sided.
Forgiveness also does not erase civil or practical consequences.
A homeowner may forgive a thief personally, yet it remains right for the magistrates to bring justice (Romans 13).
Still, Jesus’ point is unmistakable:
this parable was given to make us more forgiving, not less.
Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” — Luke 6:36
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “If we forgive in words only, but not from our hearts, we remain under the same condemnation.”
Unforgiveness itself is not the unforgivable sin—but forgiveness is the evidence of a heart that has truly been forgiven.
A life marked by ongoing unforgiveness may reveal that one’s heart has never truly been touched by the love of Jesus.
Lord, thank You for the immeasurable mercy You have shown me.
Help me to remember how much I have been forgiven, and to extend that same grace to others—freely, fully, and from the heart.
Take away any bitterness or pride that hinders forgiveness, and fill me with the love of Christ, so that my life reflects Your mercy to all.
Amen.