Plane Used for Aerial Location Scouts

We Sometimes Forget How to Forgive

It is indeed hard practicing how to forgive at times, especially if the wound was a deep one. Our natural tendency is to get even. Plus, the world tells us that doing so will help us attain peace of mind.  That, however, is not how God operates. In fact, the Scriptures totally abhor such an idea.  We are told to forgive without any considerations or rules; even the pain done to us (no matter how acute) is not a great enough reason for us not to forgive.

Are We Ready to Truly Learn How to Forgive?

Unfortunately, many Christians are not prepared to forgive even though forgiveness is part and parcel of the whole Christianity in us.  We learn forgiveness from the very day we were saved; we enjoy the benefits of being forgiven from all of our sinfulness.  Therefore, from that point forward shouldn’t we learn and then master the art of forgiveness? Yes! If we do, we will already have a truck load of forgiveness in us when pains, persecutions, regrets and offending people come our way.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matt. 18:21-22, NIV)

Peter wonders just how many times he needs to forgive someone. Jewish tradition varied; however, the Pharisees often stated that it was five times. By offering “up to seven times,” Peter showed his desire to go beyond what was required, but I am sure he was not prepared for Christ’s answer of 70 x 7. Basically, Jesus was telling him that there should be no limit to the forgiveness he extended to others.

Then, after giving his simple but surprising answering, Jesus told a parable. He spoke of a servant who had been forgiven of a tremendously large debt but who then turned around and demanded repayment from another who owed him far less:

Learning How to Forgive Through The Lord

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.^[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35, NIV)

Forgiving from your heart…that is the standard that Jesus set for Peter. The same is true for you and me. True forgiveness is a decision based in love, the love Christ has for each of us.  We are to love…and forgive…not based on what someone has done to us but based upon what Someone did for us:

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12, NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13, NIV)

By: Ricardo Yee