Matthew 18:21-22 – “Later Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times!  TPT

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word, my heart was moved to cry out for grace.  The Kingdom of God operates from love.   All that God is and all that God does and has flowed from Love.   It is who He is.  Love refuses to be complacent and fights to complete its object.

The incredibly simple but enormously difficult directive of Matthew 18:15-35 is only possible through the power of love. We tend to make Matthew 18:18-20 separate from vv. 15-17. That robs us spiritually.

Out of the overflow of love comes the unrelenting desire for restoration. We forbid bitterness of heart and release love and miracles to walk into our lives. Healing comes. Restoration comes. Power manifests itself. Lives are transformed beyond those directly involved because love is the most powerful witness on earth.

The example Jesus used on debt makes the necessity of unrestricted forgiveness clear. When we consider what He has forgiven us of, we are forced to compare that to any offense that comes to us.

If we are faced with impossible situations and no answer seems forthcoming, we need to ask ourselves a penetrating question: Is there any hint of unforgiveness in our hearts toward anyone?

Do not justify it, gloss over it, or deny it. Have we fully released that person? Can we be around them without bristling inside or feeling the pain all over again? Is the wound still sore? Do we have an inner sneer when they speak? If so, maybe we have not forgiven fully from the heart.

Matthew 18:19 – “…If two of you ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, My heavenly Father will do it for you.”

Can you pray for and with the person you forgave? Can you agree with them in prayer? Can you manifest God’s love to them and for them?

I want nothing to be allowed to stand between me and God. I want nothing to hinder my access to the throne. I want nothing to hinder the Gospel.   Love heals, but unforgiveness produces festive wounds that become obstacles to faith and freedom.

When we stand before Jesus and, He asks, “Did you learn to love?” What will we be able to say? Love is demonstrated, and if our attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds do not agree with our profession, we will not be able to say, “Yes, Lord!”

We have authority, but love must prevail for it to function fully.  Love releases power that would be tyrannical if released outside of love. The Isaiah 61 anointing only comes through love! Father, forgive me for not loving as You love, and help me to begin now!   Nothing is impossible in Him, and nothing is impossible for us! We overcome through Love as He manifests Himself in our lives!

May God’s Forgiveness flow to us and through us and release the Power of God in us!