Matthew 18:21-34 The Third Essential For Unity And Harmony

The third essential for unity and harmony is forgiveness.  "Unless humility and honesty result in forgiveness, relationships cannot be mended and strengthened.  Peter recognized the risks involved and asked Jesus how he should handle them in the future," my commentary began.  "But Peter made some serious mistakes.  To begin with, he lacked humility himself.  He was sure his brother would sin against him, but not he against his brother.  Peter's second mistake was in asking for limits and measures.  Where there is love, there can be no limits or dimensions (Eph 3:17-19).  Peter thought he was showing great faith and love when he offered to forgive at least seven times.  After all, the rabbis taught that three times was sufficient.  Our Lord's reply, 'Until seventy times seven' (490 times) must have startled Peter.  Who could keep count for that many offenses?  But that was exactly the point Jesus was making:  Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor 13:5).  By the time we have forgiven a brother that many times, we are in the habit of forgiving."

"If a brother is guilty of a repeated sin, no doubt he would find strength and power to conquer that sin through the encouragement of his loving and forgiving brethren.  If we condemn a brother, we bring out the worst in him.  But if we create an atmosphere of love and forgiveness, we can help God bring out the best in him."

Father God, help me to be in the habit of forgiving, and use that forgiveness to encourage and change for the better those I come in contact with.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford