Freedom in Christ: Forgiveness From The Heart (Session 7) – Tom Fisk – Matthew 18:21-35

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“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Jesus calls us to forgive from the heart and to not keep count. This is incredibly difficult and we as Christians often fall into the trap of failing to forgive. But through the parable of the unforgiving servant we discovered that, firstly, it is hypocritical and fails to recognise what Jesus has done for us on the cross, and secondly, that forgiveness will set us free. To fail to forgive is to open us up to spiritual torture, to restrict our freedom. To forgive is to unburden ourselves and be free from bitterness and pain. Forgiveness is an issue between you and God. To forgive means going to Him and leaving your bitterness, your pain and your unforgiveness at the foot of the cross. Realising that you have been forgiven a far greater debt by your Lord and Saviour and then trusting that the justice you so desperately seek has been dealt with on the cross. There is freedom in that. I pray that you continue to forgive, not as lip service but over and over again from the heart so that you are free in Christ.