Something in us demands justice. Something in us wants them to pay. To have repercussion. Why should we suffer and they do not? Why do they get to just move on without recourse or punishment? Afterall, their crime against us is inexcusable.
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the story of the unforgiving debtor.
Verse 21-22 says, “Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Jesus goes on to tell about how a man once owed his master an insurmountable amount of money. A debt he could never repay. He was going to lose everything including his family. He begged for mercy. The King had pity on him and forgave all his debts and set him free. He never had to repay it and he went on his merry way.
That’s grace. Granting forgiveness for an insurmountable debt. One that could never be repaid.
That’s what God does for us. Each of us. He grants us grace and forgives us everytime we turn our back on Him. Everytime we chose to sin rather than obey. Everytime we rack up more debt, the bill is wiped clean. Everytime we cheat, steal, and lie. Everytime we refuse to forgive as He forgave – He forgives us that too. Jesus paid the price for all these sins on Calvary long ago. Because he paid that debt, we are forgiven ours.
C.S Lewis said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
Who do you need to forgive??