Forgive us our sins

‘The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before the king. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay you everything!” The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go.’  (verses 25-27)

Read Matthew 18:21-35

God expects us to forgive each other. Just as the king in this story had mercy on his servant, and let him go, so we must forgive those who sin against us – even if they sin against us more times than we can count!

This may seem like an impossible sort of teaching to accept. That’s because, humanly speaking, it is. But think about it this way: if God expects you, an imperfect human being, to keep on forgiving those who hurt you, then how much more will he, who is perfect, forgive you when you ask him for mercy!

It’s an amazing thing: as you receive God’s mercy and forgiveness, he changes you into someone who can share his mercy and forgiveness with those who hurt you.

Father, forgive me my sins, as I forgive those who sin against me. Amen.

by Fraser Pearce, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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