Personal Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-35
1. We Amaze Ourselves with our Generous Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:21)
a. This literally translates: “How many times will my brother sin against me and I will forgive him?”
2. The Example of Forgiveness, for a Christian, is God Alone. (Matthew 18:22-27, Genesis 4:24, Romans 4:6-8)
Genesis 4:24, If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!
Romans 4:6-8, Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin.
3. Those Who Withhold Forgiveness Cannot Receive Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:28-35)
a. Forgiveness Comes at a Simple Request. (Matthew 18:32, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ephesians 2:8-9, For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.
b. Forgiveness Should Be Given as Easily. (Psalm 103:3-4)
Psalm 103:3-4, He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
c. When it Isn’t, The Forgiven Loan (Matthew 18:27) becomes a Personal Debt. (Matthew 18:34; Matthew 6:12, 14-15)
Matthew 6:12, 14-15, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.
d. The Personal Debt Is Greater than we Can Pay. (Matthew 18:34-35, Colossians 2:13-14, Revelation 21:8)
Colossians 2:13-14, And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
Revelation 21:8, But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.