April 1, 1984
People often find it difficult to say, “I’m sorry,” and even more so to say, “I forgive you.” As Alistair Begg reminds us, though, forgiveness is as indispensable for the soul as food is for the body. In Matthew 18, we see God revealed as the source of all true forgiveness. Through Jesus, we can receive the personal forgiveness we need and avoid the hypocrisy of an unforgiving spirit, for our God forgives.
21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often ywill my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? zAs many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished ato settle accounts with his servants.7 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him bten thousand ctalents.8 25dAnd since he could not pay, his master ordered him eto be sold, with his wife and fchildren and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servant9 gfell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and dforgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred hdenarii,10 and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When 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. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33iAnd should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34jAnd in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,11 kuntil he should pay all his debt. 35lSo also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother mfrom your heart.”
Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.