…so My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses… —Matthew 18:35 (NKJV)
The issue of forgiveness in our Christian walk cannot be overemphasized because of the important role it plays in our lives. Forgiveness is instrumental to our victory in life. A person who does not forgive cheats himself—and this is why we can never stop talking about it.
In Matthew 18:23–34, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about a servant who owed his master a large sum of money. The master commanded that he be sold—along with his wife, children, and all he owned—to recover the debt. But the servant pleaded with the master to have patience with him, and the master, moved with compassion, forgave him and released him.
However, this same servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount. He grabbed him, demanded payment, and when the man could not pay, he had him thrown into prison.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they reported it to the master. “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘…You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him…” —Matthew 18:32–34 (NKJV).
Why was he punished? Because when he had the chance to forgive as he had been forgiven, he refused. This led Jesus to say, “…so My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses…” —Matthew 18:35 (NKJV).
In other words, if we do not forgive others, we cannot enjoy forgiveness ourselves. That’s why it is essential in our Christian walk to forgive from the heart, not just with words.
Many people say, “I forgive you,” with their mouths, but in their hearts, they still hold grudges. Our Lord Jesus Christ is making it clear that true forgiveness must come from the depths of our hearts. Only then can we truly release those who have offended us.
So the question is: whom do you need to forgive? Consider doing it today, from your heart. Your life will not remain the same again. Praise God!
Today’s Rhema
Forgiveness that doesn’t come from the heart is not forgiveness!
Confession for the Day
The grace to forgive others from the depth of my heart rests on me mightily, and I give out forgiveness effortlessly, without reservation, in the name of Jesus. I do not struggle with it, and as I forgive others, I am swimming in its rewards. Praise God!
