Hard Forgiveness

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Matthew 18:32–35

This story begins because Peter asked a question. How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister if they sin against me? Jesus’ answers with a parable.

Jesus’ point? How much has God forgiven you?

I’m not sure if you struggle with forgiveness, but this is a helpful reminder for whenever you are struggling with one of God’s commands. How much has God forgiven you? Just take a moment to consider this.

How entitled is God to ask anything of us? And what does it say about our hearts if our response is, not that God. Whether it’s forgiving someone for the 100th time, or turning up on a Sunday for the 1000th time. Whatever it is that you know God wants you to do, but you are struggling to do… what has God done for you.

Jesus’ words at the end of this verse are strong. It’s what he says in the sermon on the mount. If you won’t forgive your brother or sister. God won’t forgive you. That seems so strong… so final. But really, it’s down to this.

The heart that is surrendered to God won’t be able to hold onto unforgiveness. The heart and mind that sees God’s grace, realises how deeply they have been forgiven, a Spirit-filled heart, just won’t be able to stay unforgiving.

So whatever you are struggling to do this week. Whatever God is calling you to do that feels hard. Just take some time to remember what Jesus has done for you. What God has done for you in Jesus. That’s the key.

Today:

Pray: