When we live in an atmosphere of humility and honesty, we take some risks and expect some dangers.
Unless humility and honesty result in forgiveness, relationships cannot be mended and strengthened.
Peter recognized the risks involved and asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother’s sin
against him (Matthew 18:22-23).
Our Lord’s reply, “Until seventy times seven” (490 times), must have startled Peter. Who could keep
count for that many offenses? But that was exactly the point Jesus was making: Love “keeps no
record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV). By the time we have forgiven a brother that many times,
we are in the habit of forgiving.
But Jesus was not advising careless or shallow forgiveness. Christian love is not blind. If a brother is
guilty of a repeated sin, no doubt he would find strength and power to conquer that sin through the
encouragement of his loving and forgiving brethren.
If we condemn a brother, we bring out the worst in him. But if we create an atmosphere of love and
forgiveness, we can help God bring out the best in him.
Verse for today: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel
against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13).
Also read: Matthew 18:15-23; Ephesians 3:17-19; Philippians 1:9-10.
Action assignment: Make two lists today. On the first one, put down every recent occasion in which
you exercised forgiveness. On the second list, put down the recent times you were not for-giving.
Then ask God to increase your ability to forgive others, “even as Christ forgave you.”
WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in