Forgiveness Is a RequirementSample

The Price of Unforgiveness

What’s at stake if we don’t forgive? If we don’t release others from their offenses against us, it cuts us off from the forgiveness of God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14–15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (NKJV). The cost of unforgiveness is high. When we don’t forgive, God won’t forgive us! 

But how often are expected to forgive? Peter, the same guy who later denied Jesus and then received His forgiveness, asked Jesus this very question: “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?” Then to seem extra spiritual, he added, “Seven times?” Jesus looked at him and replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21–22, NLT).

We can all do the math. Seventy times seven equals 490. And Jesus is talking about forgiving the same person that many times! Some people reading this already have friends or family pushing that line. They know someone who’s at 489 right now. But by saying seventy times seven, Jesus actually meant we are to extend unlimited forgiveness.

We all have people who have wronged us numerous times. Depending on the level of offense, we might be able to forgive the first time easily, but by offense number three or four, we usually get fed up. We no longer want to talk to or be around that person.

Many of us have at least one or two people who are objects of our unforgiveness—people who caused us great pain, hurting us in ways only tears and anger can express. We can forgive everyone but them. We put them in a room all by themselves—close and lock the door—and try not to think about them. Yet these are the very ones Jesus has in mind.

Forgiving people like this requires a supernatural love that is bigger than us. It is beyond our own ability to keep forgiving. None of us can give or receive unlimited grace and forgiveness unless empowered by the Holy Spirit. It has to be a God thing. But with His help, the door to that room of repeat offenders can be unlocked. The Holy Spirit can empower you to forgive them, even if they are up to offense number 491.