Forgive Often

What are the limits to Christian forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21 ESV

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?”

Matthew 18:22 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Jesus answers a reasonable question with an unreasonable answer.

Matthew 18:23–24 ESV

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

1 denarius = one day's wage

1 talent = 6,000 day's wages

10,000 talents = 60 million day's wages

60 million days = 164,000 years

Matthew 18:25–26 ESV

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. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’

Christians believe the wrongs we have done create a debt we cannot pay.

Matthew 18:27 ESV

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

Christians believe God loves us enough to forgive that debt even when we cannot pay.

Matthew 18:28–31 ESV

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.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 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.

Christians believe being forgiven should change how we treat others.

Matthew 18:32–34 ESV

Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.

Matthew 18:35 ESV

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Christians believe being forgiven will change how God treats us.

What are the limits to Christian forgiveness?

Colossians 3:12–13 ESV

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Botham Jean

Christians believe forgiveness has no limits.

Who must you forgive?

Have you turned to God for forgiveness?