One time Peter took his eyes off Jesus and quickly cried out, “Lord, save me!”. Peter believed Jesus to help him do something he couldn’t do on his own but in that moment, he allowed his surroundings to affect his belief. Maybe, today you find yourself in a similar situation.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22
Not forgiving others will wreck your life. Unforgiveness is life cancer to your soul. It doesn’t just affect one relationship it affects them all. We may not see it but the mass of unforgiveness keeps growing and spreading into other areas of our lives. Soon enough more than one relationship is impacted. As you’re reading this you may even be saying, “Not me!”. But let’s be clear, holding onto issues with other people hurts everyone involved especially the one who’s holding onto the offense. Which is why Jesus says, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Forgiving someone doesn’t say what the other person did was right. That’s a lie from the enemy so we will hold onto the offense. Don’t let today pass without saying what needs to be said and laying down what needs to be laid down. I challenge you to wait no longer and forgive any offenses you have been holding onto. Pray, ask the Lord for help, and press into forgiveness. Remember, as great as the offenses were towards a holy and perfect God, He forgave them by dying Himself. Even if it involves dying to ourselves it’s time to extend forgiveness. Today, right now, cry out like Peter, “Lord, save me!” and let go what you weren’t meant to carry in the first place.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.