Forgive unconditionally

Monday, April 4th
Forgive unconditionally.

“Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?”
Matthew 18:21(AMP)

During the days of Peter, the Jewish Rabbis  taught that if one can forgive twice, it is okay.   In Exodus 21:24 the law stipulates an eye for an eye, so when Peter asked Jesus if he could forgive up to as many times as seven, I believe he thought he would be commended. But “Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:22 (AMP). This meant that he should keep on forgiving. Remember we learnt yesterday that the debt  we can never finish paying is the debt of love.

Jesus told the following story in Matthew 18:23-35(MSG) to explain why we must continue to forgive others unconditionally, “"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!' "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."”

Instruction.
In obedience to the Word of God to you today, sincerely choose to forgive unconditionally those who have offended you.

For further study, read:
1Corinthians 6:6-8, Colossians 3:12-14,  1 Thessalonians 4:6.

Doing the Word
Pursue peace with all men.