Forgiveness & Unity
Scripture
Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done.
32 Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Colossians 3:13
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done.
32 Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Colossians 3:13
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Forgiveness & Unity
Unity cannot coexist with unforgiveness. When wounds are left unattended, they harden into bitterness and create barriers between people. Scripture consistently calls believers to forgive, not because it is easy, but because it is essential.
Forgiveness is rooted in the gospel. We forgive because we have been forgiven. Christ did not wait for us to deserve grace; He extended it freely. In doing so, He calls His followers to live as people of mercy.
Forgiveness does not deny pain or ignore injustice. It is a decision to release the right to retaliate and to entrust judgment to God. While reconciliation may take time and boundaries may be necessary, forgiveness begins with obedience.
Unforgiveness weighs heavily on the soul. It distorts perspective, poisons relationships, and disrupts unity within the body. Forgiveness, on the other hand, brings freedom. It restores peace and opens the door to healing.
Today, ask God to search your heart. Are there lingering offenses you have been carrying? Are there names or situations that still stir up anger or hurt?
Pray for the grace to forgive, even if emotions lag behind obedience. Ask God to help you release what you cannot heal on your own. Unity grows where grace is practiced daily.
As you let go, trust that God is at work—restoring hearts, healing wounds, and drawing His people back together in love.
Forgiveness is rooted in the gospel. We forgive because we have been forgiven. Christ did not wait for us to deserve grace; He extended it freely. In doing so, He calls His followers to live as people of mercy.
Forgiveness does not deny pain or ignore injustice. It is a decision to release the right to retaliate and to entrust judgment to God. While reconciliation may take time and boundaries may be necessary, forgiveness begins with obedience.
Unforgiveness weighs heavily on the soul. It distorts perspective, poisons relationships, and disrupts unity within the body. Forgiveness, on the other hand, brings freedom. It restores peace and opens the door to healing.
Today, ask God to search your heart. Are there lingering offenses you have been carrying? Are there names or situations that still stir up anger or hurt?
Pray for the grace to forgive, even if emotions lag behind obedience. Ask God to help you release what you cannot heal on your own. Unity grows where grace is practiced daily.
As you let go, trust that God is at work—restoring hearts, healing wounds, and drawing His people back together in love.
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