The Divine Mandate

Beloved, I want to touch upon a subject that is both profound and practical—one that touches the very heart of our Christian faith: forgiveness. In the New King James Bible, Jesus commands us in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘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.’” My friends, that’s not just a suggestion; it’s a divine mandate!

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not for the faint of heart. It’s for the strong, the courageous, and the obedient. Reverend Desmond Tutu, a giant of faith, once said, “Forgiveness is not for the weak. It is for the strong to recognize that they can still be compassionate, regardless of what has been done to them.” This truth echoes the call of our Savior, who from the cross declared, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34, NKJV).

The Dented Car

Let me share a personal story to illustrate the power of forgiveness. Several years ago, my younger brother borrowed my car without asking and returned it with a noticeable dent. My first reaction was one of anger and frustration. I wanted to hold on to that anger, to let him know how much he had wronged me. But then, I remembered Ephesians 4:32, which instructs us, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (NKJV).

I chose to forgive my brother, and in doing so, I experienced a profound peace that can only come from obeying God's Word. Forgiveness didn’t fix the car, but it healed our relationship and brought us closer together. It was a reminder that true forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves as much as to others.

The Wisdom of Contemporary Voices

Let us also heed the wisdom of contemporary Christian leaders. Pastor Timothy Keller reminds us, “Forgiveness is absorbing the debt of the wrong done and refraining from making the wrongdoer pay.” This is a call to imitate Christ, who absorbed the ultimate debt of sin on our behalf.

Beloved, we must remember that forgiveness is not about condoning the wrong but about releasing ourselves from the bondage of bitterness. It’s about trusting in God’s justice and mercy, believing that He will make all things right in His perfect time.

The Role of Humor

Now, don’t misunderstand me; there’s room for humor in this journey. The irony of seeking forgiveness with all our hearts yet dispensing it sparingly should make us chuckle at our own folly. Imagine the absurdity of trying to forgive the person who cut you off in traffic while clenching the steering wheel in anger! Yet, even in these small moments, God calls us to let go and forgive.

Conclusion

As we conclude, let us remember that forgiveness is both an act of faith and an act of freedom. It’s about stepping into the grace that God has freely given us and extending that grace to others. Forgiveness is a reflection of God’s love—a love that is patient, kind, and eternal.

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of forgiveness. Help us to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Fill our hearts with Your love and grace, that we may walk in obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

And now, dear friends, go forth with the peace of God, knowing that as you forgive, you are forgiven. May His grace and mercy be with you always. Amen.

© AJ Wappelhorst/Bear Klan Media