October 10

Forgiveness

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” — Matt 18:21 BSB

The religious teachers in Christ’s time taught that four times was the limit for forgiveness. Peter exceeded this limit in his suggestion but still fell far short of the Divine ideal. To the Jews, seven represented perfection, and so Christ’s expression, “seventy times seven,” conveyed the idea of infinite, ever-renewing forgiveness. What a comfort this is for each one of us! If God expects us to forgive endlessly, how much more can we count on His forgiveness?

This parable illustrates the great harm we do to ourselves and others when we fail to forgive. A man was forgiven a huge debt of millions, yet he was not softened by this forgiveness. He immediately sought out a fellow servant who owed him a small amount, demanding payment and showing no mercy. He had forgotten the grace he had just received.

Are we not all prone to misuse God’s forgiving love? We may become critical, vengeful, or unforgiving. If you want to avoid this, reflect on how much you have been forgiven. Consider your great debt to God, and how freely He forgave you. Only those who forgive are forgiven: “If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” If we are quick to hold grudges and slow to forgive, it’s likely we haven’t fully experienced God’s forgiveness.

How do we develop a heart that forgives repeatedly and wins over even the most difficult people? The parable shows us that we must receive God’s forgiveness in the right spirit, remembering our own sins, and be ready to extend the same forgiving love to others.

Prayer

O Lord, may we hear You say, “Your sins, though many, are all forgiven; go in peace.” And may we, in turn, forgive as we have been forgiven, letting no day end with unresolved anger. Amen.