My Faith Journey
Read Matthew 18:21 – 35
“Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” (Matthew 18:27)
Forgiveness has two sides: receiving God's forgiveness frees us from the bondages of sin. In turn, when we choose to forgive ourselves, it frees us from guilt. When we forgive others, it frees us from the mental torment of the shame caused by past hurts, the fear of being hurt again and the control that we built to protect ourselves.
The Joy of Being Forgiven
When in debt, friendships shift to a lender-debtor dynamic, with lenders in a superior position, able to demand payment, while debtors depend on their mercy.
We live in gratitude of God’s compassion. Jesus paid it all for my sins at the cross. He has cancelled all my debts and set me free. I am no longer bonded as slave, fearing in my inability to pay back all my debt. I am now a child of God.
The Hallmark of a New Creation
Just as we have hurt God, others may have hurt us too. Unforgiveness harms us more than it harms those who wronged us. Keeping past hurts fresh, will make us defensive or vengeful, and it will weigh us down. Instead of clinging to pain, let us imitate God—just as we have received forgiveness, we should show compassion and forgive others. This act not only restores our relationship with God who delights in seeing His goodness reflected in us. It will also bring joy and restoration of relationships, setting people free and pointing them back to God. We are a new creation.
Application and Prayer
Dear Jesus, just as you have forgiven me, I choose also to forgive others who may have hurt me. I lay before the cross (the name of the person you wish to forgive) for causing me hurt by (describe the action or word that is used to hurt me). I repent from my conduct, by allowing these actions and word to have a hold in my life. I release it to you. I renounce and break the bondages of these action and word in my life based on the shed blood of Jesus and His finished work on the Cross. I appropriate the power of the cross to cancel all judgements and foothold that can be used against our relationship with You and others. I choose to forgive, just as I have been forgiven. Amen.
Matthew 18:21 - 35
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”