Forgive One Another | Rev. Mike Stallings

We often hear the words “you just need to forgive”.  Forgiveness is complicated, necessary, and freeing for the one forgiving and the one being forgiven.  First, forgiveness is core to God’s love for each of us.  Jesus’s death and resurrection is an act of forgiveness.  We are uncapable of saving ourselves, so God sent his Son for the forgiveness of our sins.  God’s love is an act of forgiveness.  Next, forgiving others is a response to the forgiveness we receive.  Peter’s question of Jesus, “How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?” is a question that we may have asked ourselves.  Jesus’ response calls us into the uncomfortability of loving one another.  Fear of forgiving is a real challenge.  Are we giving someone permission for the harm done to us or someone else?  Are we letting someone off the hook for the harm? What about the eye for an eye philosophy?  The questions are real and the fear is warranted.  Our response of loving one another through forgiving one another is rooted in the depths of God’s love for us and seeing our own need for forgiveness.   

Scripture - Colossians 3:12-14; Matthew 18:21-35