Page 18 - September 2025 - Truth & Tidings

our understanding of God’s grace. The par- the church. Forgiveness is essential for
able draws a sharp contrast between the maintaining unity. Grievances will arise,
enormity of our debt to God and the but reconciliation is always the goal. The
relatively minor debts others owe us. If process described earlier in the chapter –
we truly appreciate the mercy we have private confrontation, then witnesses, then
received, our hearts should be inclined church involvement – assumes a heart that
toward mercy and forgiveness for others. is ready to forgive and reconcile.
A hard-hearted refusal to forgive reveals B. Forgiveness in Personal Relationships.
spiritual insensitivity and potentially an
unconverted state. Whether in marriage, family or friendship,
2. Forgiveness is both a command and a forgiveness is the lifeblood of enduring
characteristic of the Kingdom. The Lord relationships. We are called not only to
makes it clear that forgiveness is not forgive repeated offenses but to do so
optional. It is part of the DNA of the without counting. That doesn’t mean
kingdom of heaven. Just as the king in the ignoring harmful behaviour or avoiding
parable was moved with compassion, so healthy boundaries, but it does mean
the citizens of His kingdom must imitate refusing to harbour resentment.
that compassion as evidence that they C. Forgiveness as Witness. Our readiness
belong to Him. to forgive is a testimony to the world. In
3. Forgiveness must be from the heart. The a culture increasingly marked by outrage
Lord’s final words in verse 35 are crucial. and retaliation, gracious forgiveness
True forgiveness is not superficial or reluc- stands out. When believers forgive as they
tant. It is not forgiveness with conditions, have been forgiven, they put the gospel
grudges or expectations of repayment. on display.
It must come “from the heart,” flowing
from a deep awareness of our own need Conclusion
for grace. The implication of the Lord’s The parable of the unforgiving servant
response to Peter’s question is that for- is both convicting and clarifying. It calls
giveness which is either constrained or
restrained is not forgiveness at all. us to examine the reality of our own for-
4. An unforgiving Spirit leads to imprison- giveness and challenges us to reflect that
ment. Ironically, the unforgiving servant, forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is not
by refusing to forgive, ends up in prison natural; it is supernatural. It flows from
himself. So too a person who refuses to hearts that have been transformed by the
forgive often finds themselves bound by mercy of God.
bitterness, anxiety and resentment. While As citizens of the kingdom of heaven,
forgiveness may cost us pride or justice, we must forgive, not seven times but sev-
unforgiveness costs us peace and joy. enty times seven. For in doing so, we not
only reflect our Father in heaven but we
Practical Implications for participate in the joy, peace and freedom
Today that come with living in His likeness. Let

A. Forgiveness in Assembly Life. Matthew us, then, be those who forgive from the
18 is a community discourse. It addresses heart – freely, fully, repeatedly – just as
how believers are to treat one another in we have been forgiven.

274 TRUTH kTidings September 2025