Why Should I Forgive?

In Matthew 18:27 I read, “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go." (NIV)

God’s Word tells me to let go of my hurt and resentment, and forgive others. I’ve got to release my hurt instead of rehearsing it.

Here are three reasons why:

Because God forgives me. In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the story of a king who forgives his servant. Verse 27 says, “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go” (NIV). Similar to how the king canceled the debt of this servant, God sent Jesus Christ to pay for my debt of sin. Everything I’ve ever done wrong in my life has already been paid for by Jesus. He took the blame. He paid my jail time. Jesus Christ died for all my sins.

Because resentment is self-torture. It is a self-inflicted wound. Whenever I’m resentful, it always hurts me more than the person I’m bitter against. In fact, while I’m still worrying about something that happened years ago, the other person has forgotten about it! My past is past, and it can’t hurt me anymore, unless I hold on to it.

Because I need forgiveness every day. The Bible teaches very clearly that I can’t receive what I’m unwilling to give. How can I receive the forgiveness God has shown me if I’m not willing to forgive others? If I want to be forgiven, I need to be forgiving.

Forgiveness is a lifestyle. It’s not just something I do one time. I need it every day of my life. I’ve got to ask for forgiveness, accept forgiveness from God and from others, and offer forgiveness. It’s a continual process that will bring me joy.

In summary, The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. God’s Word tells me to let go of my hurt and resentment, and forgive others. So learn to release my hurt instead of rehearsing it. There are three reasons why: First, because God forgives me. Similar to how the king canceled the debt of this servant, God sent Jesus Christ to pay for my debt. Jesus Christ died for all my sins. Second, because resentment is self-torture. It is a self-inflicted wound. Whenever I’m resentful, it always hurts me more than the person I’m bitter against. In fact, while I’m still worrying, the other person has forgotten about it! My past can’t hurt me anymore, unless I hold on to it. Lastly, because I need forgiveness every day. I can’t receive what I’m unwilling to give. If I want to be forgiven, I need to be forgiving. Forgiveness is a lifestyle. It’s not just something I do one time. I need it every day. I’ve got to ask for forgiveness, accept forgiveness from God and from others, and offer forgiveness. It’s a continual process.

I should always forgive those who are truly repentant, no matter how many times they ask.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.