Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)
²¹ 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?"
²² Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
²³ "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
²⁵ And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'
²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'
³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Forgiveness is not just something we receive from God. It is to become a key characteristic of our lives. Forgiveness is motivated by love. God’s love brought forgiveness for those undeserving of that mercy. He expects those who receive that love to reveal and reflect that love. We who are forgiven are to forgive. 

If we ask how much should we love and how many times we should forgive, we have not understood or embraced what God has done for us. We have a way to go in our journey to reach the full stature of Christ. 

The last two verses bring to light the expectation of our Father. We are to forgive our brother from the heart, truly forgive. It is not what we think that is appropriate or our judgment of right and wrong. That is not what we received and that is not what we are to give. What we forgive will never compare to the forgiveness we received from God.

The love and forgiveness of God is above our nature, but when we receive His Spirit we are able to rise above our nature. That doesn’t mean it is easy, for our nature does not go away as long as we are in these bodies. It complains and protests in opposition to the Spirit within. While it can be hard, just remember that Jesus overcame the world and His Spirit will make us more that conquerors. In Him we can forgive as we are forgiven, without measure or merit.