Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[a] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’[b] 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”[c]
SOAP – Matthew 18:21-22
As we think of the number of times that we have sinned against our holy God, we understand the immense graciousness and mercy that pardons the guilty. We are commanded to forgive others just as God in Christ has forgiven us. God’s forgiveness costs us nothing. Forgiveness is granted completely and without limitation. God knows how difficult a command this is, so He has helped us. Not only has God forgiven us, but He has given us Christ’s power to forgive and a new heart filled with the Holy Spirit’s willingness to forgive.
With whom am I limiting my forgiveness? Imagine if God only forgave us for a limited number of sins of His choosing. Receiving God’s forgiveness is not a matter of “feeling forgiven,” but simply trusting God and His promises. Likewise, forgiving others is not a matter of “feeling,” but is an act of will based on our response to God’s great love for us.
Father God, I thank You for Your abundant and complete forgiveness of all of the sin that I have done or will ever do. Lord, give me the will to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Remind me that forgiveness is not for them, but for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
