Everyday Heroes: Intentional Forgivers

Peter came up and said to Him, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.”

“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. Then summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” *

Matthew 18:21-35 (NASB)

Everyday heroes walk in forgiveness. To 'forgive' is 'to grant pardon; to cancel an indebtedness' (Random House Dictionary).

Jesus is the Ultimate Forgiver. He COMMANDS us to follow His lead.

Forgive what and whom? 

  • Anything that’s harmed us or a loved one,

  • Anything that’s promised or owed us,

  • From bosses, preachers, teachers, and neighbors,

  • From bad servers or rude receptionists.

  • From the person who stole our parking place,

  • Even from cruel family members.

Most remarkably…

Jesus forgave His crucifiers AND all sinners (like us) who turn to Him.  If the King of kings forgives all of this, how can Christians NOT FORGIVE all of that?

According to C.S. Lewis, 'Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.'

According to Holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom, 'Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.'

Whether our hearts are hot, cold, or hurting, we forgive others, as God forgives us. 

NOTE: Forgiveness is NOT a certain feeling. Forgiveness is a decision we make, and OUR lives change the moment we speak it. “I forgive (say the name) for (say the deed).”

2nd NOTE: A weight will be lifted, and so will you! Healing takes time, depending on the hit, but God WILL deliver you from evil, including the pain of a hurting heart.

As for those who walk in unforgiveness?

'If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins’ (Matthew 6:15).

'Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm' (Psalm 37:8).

FINAL NOTE: Make no mistake about it: Unforgiveness will prevent your blessings and invite the devil to torture you.* Just copy Jesus and you can’t go wrong:).

Everyday Heroes: Intentional Forgivers (Part 5)

* Recommended resource on forgiveness: http://www.forgivingforward.com

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban