| Yesterday's Bible Study |
Jesus is talking to His disciples in this verse, saying that if someone sins against them, there should be no limit to the amount of forgiveness they offer; that no one can sin too severely to be redeemed. This is a reminder for us today--the need to be willing to forgive, time after time after time. Today, we'll consider why this is so important and how we can follow it in our everyday lives.
What is forgiveness? Contrary to what is often believed, forgiveness is not saying that something is okay … because if something was okay, there would be no need for forgiveness. Instead, it's acknowledging that an offense was made, and then pardoning it. It means that no ill will or retribution will be sought. You do not have to be best friends with a person who wronged you, but you are called to offer that person forgiveness.
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When we forgive other people, we are modeling the forgiveness that the Lord has shown us. We can never meditate too much on the mercies of the Lord; it would serve us well to remember with gratitude the many times that we have come before the Lord and been washed clean by the blood of Jesus. Often, we don't understand the depth of forgiveness until we have been deeply hurt by another person. The worst hurt you have experienced in your life is nothing compared to sinning against a holy God. The grace that we show other people pales in comparison to the grace that we have received from the Lord. When we truly understand this, we will be able, as Jesus says in today's verse, to forgive people over and over again.
There is great freedom in forgiveness. When we harbor anger or hatred against another person, we are allowing those feelings to control us. Forgiveness is a relief for the other person--but surrendering our negative emotions about something is freeing us in the process. It helps us focus on the Lord above all else, reminding us that He is the sole arbiter of justice, and remembering the grace that we have received.
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