FORGIVEN TO FORGIVE

SCRIPTURE READINGS
EXODUS 14:19–31
ROMANS 14:1–12
MATTHEW 18:21–35

SUNDAY REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Forgiven to Forgive.” To be forgiven means to have a debt we could never pay completely wiped away. It means receiving God’s grace and mercy as sinners, which leads us to turn from our bad ways, find new life, and be restored to God instead of facing His judgment and punishment. To forgive, therefore, means to cancel the debt of those who hurt us. It means giving that same grace and mercy to those who wrong us, even as we hope the relationship can be healed.

However, we must understand one important truth: forgiveness does not mean the person who hurt you will always say sorry or change their ways. We do not forgive because the other person earns it. We forgive simply because God commands it, and our greatest desire is to obey Him and please Him.

This vital message is clearly shown in our three Scripture readings:

We must forgive because we have received God’s forgiveness.
We must forgive so that God will not judge us.
God will deal with those who refuse to repent.

1. We must forgive because we have received God’s forgiveness.

In the parable of the unmerciful servant, a man who owed his master ten thousand bags of gold had his entire debt cancelled. Yet, as soon as he walked away free, he grabbed a fellow servant who owed him just a hundred silver coins and began to choke him. When the master found out, he was furious at such heartless behaviour:

“‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow-servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.” (Matthew 18:32–34)

Jesus then gave this serious warning:

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

Forgiveness is not something we do once; it is a choice we must make every single day. We are imperfect people who fail God daily, and we depend on His mercy every morning. That is why the Lord Jesus taught us to pray:

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

How can we hold on to anger against someone else when God has pardoned our mountain of sin? When we hold a grudge, we forget the mercy that saved our own lives. We have no right to hold onto other people’s mistakes. The rule is simple: if you want mercy, you must show mercy. God shows mercy to the merciful. Have you refused to pardon someone who hurt you deeply? Remember how much God has forgiven you, and choose today to drop all thoughts of revenge and show true mercy instead.

2. We must not judge others, so that God will not judge us.

We must learn to be patient, bearing with one another instead of being critical and looking down on people. While the Apostle Paul was writing about disagreements over religious customs, the lesson applies to all our relationships: God alone is the true Judge. When we despise people or hold them in contempt because they have offended us, we are trying to do God’s job. Paul reminds us:

“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat… So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:10, 12–13)

Jesus warns us in plain words:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14–15)

Think about this warning seriously: do not let an unforgiving heart keep you out of heaven. Holding onto bitterness hurts you more than the person who wronged you; it builds a wall between you and God. If you want to please God, letting go of offences is not a suggestion—it is a clear command. Drop your anger today, throw away your list of past wrongs, and let God heal your heart.

3. God will deal with those who refuse to repent.

What should we do when people continue to hurt us on purpose, even when we keep forgiving them? Take comfort in this: God is just, and He will judge those who refuse to turn from their evil ways.

This is exactly what happened to Pharaoh and his army in Exodus 14:19–31. The Egyptians were cruel and refused to stop pursuing God’s people. But the Lord stepped in to protect Israel:

“Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing towards it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” (Exodus 14:27–31)

It is not your job to get even. Your duty is simply to obey God by giving the hurt over to Him. You do not need to fight back or plot revenge; the Lord will fight for you, and He will deal with unrepentant people in His own time. As Paul tells us:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17–21)

CONCLUSION

Forgiveness is the true mark of a follower of Jesus Christ. Forgiving someone does not mean that what they did was right, nor does it mean you are weak. Instead, it means you trust God enough to hand the situation over to Him. When we forgive, we place the offender into the hands of the only Judge who never makes a mistake. As people who have received God’s free gift of pardon, we cannot hold onto bitterness. We are called to share the same mercy that saved us.

CALL TO ACTION

Look into your heart today and bring to mind anyone you have been holding a grudge against.

Cancel the debt: Make a clear choice today to let go of the wrong they did to you. Stop holding it against them.
Stop being the judge: Hand the matter over to God. Trust that He sees your pain and will do what is right.
Choose goodness: Do not return evil for evil. Pray for those who hurt you, and show kindness whenever you can. Free yourself from the prison of anger by choosing to forgive right now.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, You are full of mercy, patience, and perfect justice. We thank You because You wiped away our massive debt of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Lord, please forgive us for the times we took Your mercy for granted and held bitter grudges against our brothers and sisters.

Soften our hearts today. Take away all anger, hatred, and desire for revenge. Give us the strength to forgive from our hearts, even when the pain is deep and the person has not said sorry. Help us to rest in Your peace, knowing that You will take care of us. Cleanse our hearts, heal our wounds, and help us to show Your love to everyone around us. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.