Most of us have had that neighbor, co-worker, or relative that we just can’t seem to get along with, no matter how hard we try. Maybe they have done something that you are unwilling to forgive them for. Whatever they try to do, to reconcile the situation, you just don’t want to get along or forgive them!
The Lord teaches us to forgive, and not only a few times but many, many times!
Peter comes to Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22 with the question about forgiving our brothers to alleviate conflict, and Jesus takes a teaching opportunity. The passage says, “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to 70 times seven.’”
Jesus, in Matthew 6:14-15, directly following the teaching of his disciples how to pray the “Lord’s Prayer,” makes a powerful statement about the importance of forgiving others. Verses 14-15 says, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
Why does the Lord teach so much about forgiveness? Because forgiving others alleviates the conflict with that person. It frees us from the bondage to the conflict that we have with other people! If we are not forgiving to others, 70 times seven, then the conflict still controls us, and we will always be in conflict with that person.
We, because of our sins, were once in conflict with God, but He forgave us through His son Jesus the Christ and ended the conflict between Himself and man. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Thank you, Lord God, for your great example of forgiveness that teaches us to do the same and thereby resolve the conflicts we have with others!
Easier said than done I know, but it works, it really works! I just want to encourage the reader to develop a forgiving heart; otherwise, according to Matthew 6:14-15, God will not be so forgiving of us on the day of judgment! Let’s release ourselves from the bondage that unforgiveness brings and use the love of Christ Jesus to reconcile our broken relationships!
We invite you to join us at College Hill Church of Christ, 1102 College Blvd., every Sunday morning at 10:30am for worship or follow us on Facebook at College Hill Church of Christ Alva Oklahoma as we stream our worship service every Sunday. We are a fellowship of believers that follow God’s Word and love all who worship with us!
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