Today’s Reading | Matthew 18
Truth About Forgiveness
When you hear the word forgive, what goes through your mind? What thoughts went through Peter’s mind as Christ was telling the story of the “Unmerciful Servant”? It was he who asked the question about forgiveness that resulted in Christ’s telling this story. Maybe he had someone in his mind that he had failed to forgive and was hoping Christ’s answer would give him a reason for not forgiving him. Christ’s response was not what he had expected. What a powerful passage on forgiveness this is – to realize that we are the unmerciful servant who has been forgiven “zillions.” Our debt was wiped clean when we trusted Christ. How can we face those whose debt to us is small, $18, in comparison to our debt to God, and not forgive? It saddens the heart of God to know what He has forgiven us and to see us refuse to forgive others. Who are you refusing to forgive? Though their debt may seem large to you, it is very small compared to the debt Christ forgave you. Highlight verse 35 again and ask God to use it to motivate you to forgive. It will free your soul.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
What kinds of things has God forgiven you for in your past?
So What?
What are some things you have a hard time forgiving?
Now What?
How does the list in #1 compare to what you wrote in #2?
Then What?
Who is God asking you to forgive? What are you going to do about it?