Jesus was the one and only perfect man. The rest of us possess a broken human nature that prevents us from living a sinless life. As a result, Jesus went to the cross to provide us with forgiveness for our sins. When we place our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus we are granted salvation from the death penalty and granted the gift of eternal life. We have been forgiven of our sins – past, present, and future. We can never achieve perfection like Jesus. We will always need to be forgiven. As followers of Jesus, we are expected to extend that same forgiveness to those around us.
“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 (NASB)
The response Jesus gave to Peter essentially established no limit to the amount of times one should forgive his brother. Our salvation is dependent on an endless supply of forgiveness. God’s forgiveness continues without limit. In this same way, we are to extend forgiveness to our brothers and sisters in Christ when they betray our trust in some way.
Jesus used the parable of the wicked servant (Matthew 18:21-35) to drive this point home. Those who refuse to forgive are subject to harsh treatment for their cold-hearted attitude.
“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:34-35 (NASB)
True followers of Jesus will extend the same love and forgiveness to their brothers and sisters in Christ that our salvation provides. If you turn your back on those seeking forgiveness, you have lost sight of Jesus and fallen victim to the deception of the enemy.
It is our sinful human nature that all but guarantees we will have conflicts and misunderstandings with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As true believers, we have been empowered with a new nature that responds with understanding rather than retribution. Our mission is to help each other grow in the Lord. Every grievance we have with each other is an opportunity to demonstrate the love of God that fills our heart. By the grace of God we have been forgiven and therefore we should be compelled to offer that same level of unconditional forgiveness to others.
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