Pray:
Thank You, Jesus, for fully canceling my debt of sin. Help me never forget how much it cost You for me to be forgiven.
Read:
Matthew 18:21-35
Reflect:
Is God speaking to you today?
"Resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies" (Augustine of Hippo). Offense can quickly fester into unforgiveness in our hearts--a state completely at odds with living righteously in loving community (cf. Jas. 1:20; Heb. 12:14,15). Jesus had earlier said plainly, "If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (6:15). The message of this parable is clear--our lack of forgiveness to others can endanger our own relationship with God.
How does Peter's question show that he's starting from too narrow a place concerning forgiveness (21)? What have we discovered already this week from Jesus regarding true greatness that applies here too (3,4)? Humility takes on an epic quality in the life of Christ in terms of forgiveness (Luke 23:33,34). He did not protest about injustice or his rights when facing wrongful execution, and yet he is sovereign Lord!
We haven't been transformed by the freedom of the Gospel if we can love the sufficiency of God's grace to forgive us while wanting to deny it to others.
Apply:
"Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (cf. Col. 3:12-14). Ask him to help you if it seems impossible.
Pray:
My Jesus, You paid such a price. Thank You that You take seriously the wrongs done against me. In You I can forgive.
