Forgiving

Today’s reading: Matthew 18:21-35, 19:1-12

“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is a toxic saying that has been going around for some time. It goes like this: “People never change.” These words communicate that people aren’t worth forgiving.

Let’s ask ourselves this question today: “Have you changed as a result of Jesus coming into your life?”

Our ability to forgive others is found somewhere in these questions. Jesus believes that people deserve to be given a second, third, fourth... yes, a lot of chances.

Why would He do that? The heart of God is not that anyone should perish, but that ALL come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God’s forgiveness, and our forgiveness, is a statement that people deserve another shot.

Now, our limitless forgiveness is not to negate the need for limited boundaries with people (that is also a form of love). It does mean that no one wins when we hang on to bitterness and hate.

Who do you need to forgive today? We may need to drop to our knees right now and declare that to Jesus, saying that we forgive whom ever that might be.