FORGIVENESS

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THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Read: Matthew 18:21–35; Luke 17:3-4

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Matthew 18:21 NKJV
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Peter wanted to do the right thing and He is asking if there are limits to how much of the right thing he must do. Jesus pointed out to the disciples on another occasion that their responsibility involved more than just forgiveness – it also included confrontation.
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Forgiveness is not just about feelings, it is about behavior. The forgiving person must care enough about his brother to seek a resolution. There is no place for holding a grudge and never speaking to the person again.
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Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4 NKJV)

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Lord, I realize that sometimes I don't even want to admit that a person has hurt or offended me. But when I don't face the problem, there is no opportunity for forgiveness. Then later, when a similar incident arises, buried resentment rears its ugly head and makes the situation even worse. Lord, help me to quickly act when reconciliation is needed, and always be ready to forgive.
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Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:22 NKJV

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eglos
"but up to seventy times seven."

This reply from Jesus gives us some idea of the scale of God's forgiveness available to us. Too often we look at things on too small a scale.

On Sunday we were visiting another local church for a large farewell service. Sitting in the congregation before the service we were shocked at how sharp the comments were directed at others who had come to church that day to say farewell to a very popular priest. The petty comments about why this or that person should not have come to 'church' are in marked contrast to the scale of God's forgiveness.

God bless.
lovetheword

This is an all too familiar scenario everywhere. I think the churches are filled with people who have never come to terms with forgiveness issues in their own lives. That is why the requirement for an Elder is that his family is faithful.

1 Timothy 3:4-6
one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
NKJV

The true measure of a man's (or woman's) relationship with God will be found in his own family.

Michael

I find it amusing how straight forward it is with Jesus. He didn't go into some psychological tirade about "how" to forgive and restore, He just said, "if a brother sins against you, Rebuke him" and "if he repents, forgive him"

lovetheword
[this is good]
Sometimes I think we are too proud to admit that another person has hurt us. We don't acknowledge it as sin, we just go on as though it is not important. So consequently we don't fogive the offense. Forgiveness is after all, about sin, not about saying it doesn't matter and we shouldn't be so sensitive. So, rebuke, forgive, restore - all a part of forgiveness.

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