The Power of Forgiveness: Lessons from Matthew 18:21-35

Apologizing is a simple act that requires a response from the person being asked for forgiveness. When offering an apology, it signifies a commitment to avoid repeating the same errors. It is essential to ensure that the apology is sincere. Ensure both yourself and the person you have wronged understand your sincerity and sense of responsibility for your actions. If the person perceives your sincerity, you may be granted the reward of forgiveness for your honesty.

When offering forgiveness, it is crucial to forget the wrongful actions rather than the individual who committed them. It is not uncommon to encounter sentiments such as, "I forgive you, but I do not wish to see you again. Please leave my life." These expressions are often portrayed in films and occasionally observed in real-life scenarios.

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What is the significance of your forgiveness if you are unable to accept that individual back into your life? Perhaps you would argue that their actions caused you considerable pain. This suggests that genuine forgiveness has not been achieved, as the emotional distress remains within you, preventing you from moving past the incident.

A person who truly forgives does not dwell on the past. They accept the individual regardless of previous actions and begin anew in harmonious coexistence. However, if the transgression is repeated, it may be challenging to adhere to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ regarding forgiveness. According to the Bible, in Matthew 18:21, Peter approached Jesus with the query of how many times he should forgive his brother who sinned against him. Peter proposed the notion of forgiving up to seven times. However, Jesus responded by saying that forgiveness should extend beyond seven times, implying it should be seventy times seven.

This teaching of Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of continuous and limitless forgiveness towards our brothers and sisters who have wronged us, irrespective of the frequency or magnitude of their transgressions.

In continuing our study of the Bible, we examine Matthew 18:21-35. In this passage, Jesus presents a parable illustrating the consequences faced by a servant who lacks the ability to forgive. The king decided to reconcile accounts with his servants and summoned them all. Unfortunately, one servant was indebted to him for ten thousand bags of gold. Consequently, he decreed that the servant and his entire family be sold to repay the debt. However, the servant earnestly petitioned for mercy and forgiveness. Moved by compassion, the king forgave the servant's entire debt and released him. After his release, he met a fellow servant who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed and choked him, demanding payment. The fellow servant begged for forgiveness and promised to pay soon. However, he refused and sent the man to prison until the debt was paid. Witnessing this, other servants reported it to their master. The master summoned him and said, "I forgave your debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you have shown mercy to your fellow servant as I did to you?" In anger, the master jailed him until he paid the last penny.

Forgiveness is a central principle in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized that by forgiving others, one may also receive forgiveness for one's own transgressions. It is important to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is without fault. Therefore, we should not judge others harshly or hold onto grudges, regardless of the perceived severity of their actions. Remember the Lord’s Prayer: '… And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

If someone is unable to forgive others, it may imply that they view themselves as perfect and without flaws. This perspective can make it challenging to forgive the wrongdoings of others, as they believe they have not committed any misconduct themselves.

It is my belief that you will receive greater blessings by embracing love for your friends, neighbors, and even those you consider adversaries.

Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year. May we welcome 2025 with abundant blessings.