The Gift We Struggle to Give

The forgiveness we receive from our loving Father is not just a gift — it’s the very foundation of our Christian life.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

Forgiveness is a beautiful word until you have something to forgive. – C.S. Lewis

It’s not natural.
It’s not fair.

Key Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35 Unforgiving Servant
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Forgiveness is not forgetting or excusing; it’s releasing the right to hold a debt. It begins with receiving God’s forgiveness and flows through us to others.

Forgiveness is not forgetting, feeling, excusing, or trusting again immediately.

Forgiveness is Canceling a Debt.

“He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge…”

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13–14

Just because you have been forgiven for your sin, it does not mean you will automatically start walking in forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a reflection of our spiritual condition.

Unforgiveness is choosing to carry a burden we were never meant to bear.

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Our love for others always flows from the depth of knowing how deeply we are loved.

Forgiveness is a lifestyle.

Why does it matter to God?

So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

This is the foundation of our Christian Faith.

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ― C.S. Lewis

Now is the Time To Forgive. Now is the time to Let go & Let God.

…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Let go. Let God.