What Jesus Said About Forgiveness – Forgiveness Part 5

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35 (Click Link) 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT) What is forgiveness?
• Forgiveness is total unconditional pardon to an offender, removing the guilt, and releasing the offender from judgement.
• Forgiveness is actual pardon for actual trespasses and offences which have not been repaid through retribution or restitution.
• Forgiveness is releasing the other from all judgement, ours and God’s, when we are the offended party. Jesus didn’t pull any punches when Peter asked if we really must forgive those who hurt or offend us! He made it clear that as long as we’re on this earth and as long as we’re in relationships with people, there will be offenses and sins against each other. He also made it clear that the gold standard in dealing with those offenses, sins, and hurts we inflict on each other is complete forgiveness! Ouch! How are we doing with that? For the next few days, we’re going to dig into what it really means to forgive and how to actually do it. You may as well know, I’ve been putting off addressing this topic because I knew I’d be working through this stuff for myself before I could write it here for you! And when we address something as near to God’s heart as forgiveness, the gentle Holy Spirit is relentless in pressing us to respond in faith and obedience! So buckle up again, my friends. Here we go! 3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” (Luke 7:3-5 NLT) When Jesus’ disciples heard this, their response was, “Lord, this is gonna take more faith than we’ve got! Show us how to grow our forgiving faith!” So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to grow forgiving faith too! Prayer: Father, Thanks for forgiving us! Please help us to grow forgiving faith! In Jesus’ Name!