forgiveness. Where there is love, there is much forgiveness. In our relationships, we will
have occasions to complain about people’s attitudes and the treatments they mete out
to us. This is why the Bible makes ample provision for forgiveness. Despite this
admonition, we still come across professing believers who have developed hard
feelings toward other people and even vowed not to forgive. Such an attitude does not
align with the gospel of Christ.
“When it comes to the subject of forgiveness the rule should be, “Freely you have received, freely give”.
Jesus established the place of forgiveness, stressing that it is a perpetual necessity
among brethren. Peter had asked the question whether one is free to take revenge after
being wronged seven times by the same person. Jesus’ answer must have been a rude
awakening. ‘Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy
times seven’ (Matthew 18:22, NKJV). I do not think Jesus literally meant that we have to
forgive 490 times; rather He meant that it should be open-ended. Doing good deeds
with an unforgiving attitude is like sowing seeds in the midst of thorns; they will be
choked and rendered unfruitful. Moreover, an unforgiving attitude endangers our prayer
and makes us vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. When it comes to the subject of
forgiveness the rule should be, “Freely you have received, freely give”.