02/17/2025
Jean Morrison
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ” — Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness. It’s one of the hardest things we’re called to do. Yet, it’s at the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus didn’t suggest forgiveness — He commanded it. Peter thought forgiving seven times was enough, but Jesus said, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Translation? Stop keeping count.
What is Forgiveness?
Most of us have been hurt deeply. Our instinct is to hold onto resentment, demand justice, or build walls. But Jesus calls us to a different standard.
Forgiveness isn’t excusing the wrong or pretending the pain isn’t real. It’s choosing to release resentment and extend grace to others when people hurt us, just as the Word of God commands us to do. Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness is radical, because it goes against our human nature to forgive others, not once, but multiple times. As Kingdom Revolutionists, God calls us to a higher way of living.
Here are three Kingdom perspectives that will help you to forgive others even when you are hurt, disappointed, angry, or simply don’t want to forgive.
1. Kingdom Revolutionists should not have a limited view of forgiveness.
Jesus made it clear — there’s no cap on how often we should forgive those who wronged us. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.” Imagine how many times Dr. King had to forgive those who hated him. It would have limited God’s work through him if he had chosen to limit forgiveness. Likewise, when we refuse to forgive, we block what God wants to do in us.
2. Kingdom Revolutionists should not keep count.
Let’s be honest — when someone repeatedly hurts us, we tally their offenses. But Jesus tells us to drop the count and forgive as He forgave us.
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Psalm 103:12 reminds us that God removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west.” So, if God doesn’t keep score, why should we?
3. Kingdom Revolutionists should continuously forgive because God does.
Forgiveness isn’t an event — it’s a lifestyle. We must choose to release any offense daily before bitterness takes root. Forgiveness should be ongoing, like a church bell
ringing long after being struck. The more we understand God’s forgiveness, the easier it becomes to extend grace to others.
Here's a Kingdom Tool to help you forgive others, starting today.
Dr. Everett Worthington, a clinical psychologist and professor who turned personal tragedy into a mission to help others heal, developed the REACH model to guide people through forgiveness:
· Recall the hurt — Be honest, but don’t dwell on it.
· Empathize — Try to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.
· Altruistic gift — Forgive as a gift, not because they deserve it, but because God forgave you.
· Commit — Make a decision to forgive and move forward.
· Hold onto forgiveness — When old emotions resurface, remind yourself that you’ve let it go.
So, here’s the bottom line.
Kingdom people forgive because forgiven people are forgiving people.
Forgiveness is no joke. Forgiving others will stretch us as believers and requires the Holy Spirit’s help. So, here’s your challenge this week — identify one person you need to forgive. Let go of the offense. Drop the count. Pray for them.
It won’t always be easy, but forgiveness leads to freedom. Remember that Jesus forgave you — so now it’s time to extend that same grace to someone else and break the cycle of unforgiveness today.
