FORGIVENESS . . . IS IT THAT SIMPLE?
- Key Verse
- Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Repeat offenders can be hard to forgive, but we are called to forgive as we have been forgiven. We should forgive early and often regardless of how big or small the matter might be. If forgiveness is needed, we should offer and accept it without hesitation.
Reflections
Looking back on my life, I have had plenty of opportunities to offer and require forgiveness. Historically, I had a tendency to forgive slowly despite knowing that I am called to forgive. I would find myself holding a grudge or withholding forgiveness especially if someone had repeated an offense. Imagine if Jesus Christ treated our sins and shortcomings the same way. He did not say, "Clint, that's the third strike. You've used up all your opportunities for forgiveness." He paid it all on the cross, forgiving all our sins, not just some of them.
So, then, why is it so hard to forgive someone you love or even a stranger at that? The penalty for doing so seems to be pretty evident later in Matthew 18. Christ makes it overwhelmingly clear to Peter that we are not just supposed to forgive once, twice, or even seven times. He says seventy times seven! Wow! That seems excessive to me, or at least that is what my flesh tries to tell me. How can I forgive someone that keeps doing the same thing over and over again? The answer is simple in words, but complex in understanding. We must forgive because we were first forgiven!
One aspect of forgiveness I wrestle with is accepting forgiveness and not repeatedly beating myself up over a sin I have committed. I tend to be my own worst critic regarding sin. Ultimately, I have come to the realization that truly asking Christ's forgiveness and the forgiveness of those I have wronged fulfills my end of things. No matter how many times we mess up in life, Christ still loves us. We are to model that same love to others. A great reminder of the love that makes forgiving others more clear to me can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. Remember that it is never too late to offer or accept forgiveness, and today is a great day to model that to others!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you believe that Christ's love covers all wrongs?2. Are you letting your pride get in the way of forgiving someone who has wronged you?
3. Can you think of anyone who has asked for your forgiveness that you have not granted? What's holding you back?
4. What else are you letting interfere with forgiving someone close to you?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
MATTHEW 16-20 (JANUARY 23-27)
Read Matthew 18:12-14.
* What does the shepherd do if one sheep is lost? Scripture tells us that Jesus is our shepherd, and we are His sheep. Read John 10:14.
* Jesus wants all of His sheep (people) to trust Him as their Savior. Read 2 Peter 3:9.
* How do people know and hear about Jesus?
Activity: Get a roll of toilet paper. This will represent your lost sheep. Take turns hiding the "sheep" around the house and having the rest of the family look for it. Each time you find it, stop and pray for someone you know who has not trusted in Jesus as Savior.
Kate
January 24, 2012 08:21 AM
My Grandma used to say that there is a special place in hell for people who are mean to children(the word "abuse" wasn't used in the 1950s). It's the only time I ever heard her use that word in casual conversation. As I became an adult I knew she knew the real truth, Christ's love more than covers any wrong, any wound, any oppression. Quests #1 & 3, I say a big YES! #2, maybe not pride, but fatigue. #4 is definitely repeated behavior which is clearly addressed in scripture. Thanks for your writing, I needed to process this.
Kim Fesler
January 25, 2012 06:43 AM
I enjoyed your thoughts on this challenging passage! My husband and I are dentists (he's an ortho) and we went to BCD. If you are here in Dallas at BCD, email me at kimfesdds at sbcglobal dot net. I actually work in the BUMC complex!
Freddie G.
January 25, 2012 08:13 AM
Clint, great reminder! Very well said!
Sue Bohlin
January 25, 2012 08:52 AM
Great devo on forgiveness, Clint. A beloved former pastor helped me to see that forgiving others is simply sharing with them the forgiveness I've already received from God in abundance. This chapter is the famous "Matthew 18" passage we invoke a LOT at Watermark when talking about conflict resolution. Somehow I saw something for the first time today that I've missed all the other times I've read it: the phrase "two or three" occurs twice, in the context of conflict resolution, which means they're connected. Instead of wrenching the promise "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst" to mean that we are guaranteed to receive whatever we ask in prayer because two people agree on the request, it appears to mean that the two or three gathered together to address conflict are joined by the Lord Jesus Himself. BIG difference!
Rob Thomas
January 25, 2012 09:13 AM
Great word Clint. This passage really brings me back to the big question, 'How can God forgive me?' Because he is SO GOOD.
Paul Rutherford
January 25, 2012 09:22 AM
Clint, thanks for posting. What a chapter! Chocked full of famous stories ad passages — significant principles whose impact cannot be overstated.
Lamp
January 25, 2012 10:20 AM
"It is never too late to offer or accept forgiveness" great reminder for all of us. Thank you for your Journey today!! Lamp
Sabrina
January 25, 2012 01:54 PM
Thanks for the simple yet powerful reminder that "We must forgive because we were first forgiven!"
Spencer Moon
January 29, 2012 12:29 PM
Thanks for sharing this Clint. Great message! I don't think anything can compare with the feeling that comes after repentance when we feel we have been forgiven of sin. In that moment we feel cleansed and believe the Lord when he says "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow". Very inspiring Clint, thanks again!