Forgiveness seems to be a theme of Matthew 18.
Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep and how he’ll search for that one sheep until he or she repents and comes to Him.
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, He rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14 ESV)
What happens if another person sins against us? Are we to hold a grudge, especially when they were clearly in the wrong? No. We are to forgive as He forgives us. Peter even asks how often we should forgive.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22 ESV)
Then Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant to show the consequences of unforgiveness.
“Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleased with me. And should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my Heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:32-35 ESV)
May we be able to swallow our pride and have forgiving hearts towards others. We owe it not only to other people but to God.
Kellie
Sixty-six books in a year 