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 

In Matthew’s Gospel, there is the revelation of an old but compelling truth.  It has captured my consciousness.   Knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord is life’s most important revelation and experience.   This is not knowing about Him but knowing Him!   In Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples what others and they thought about Him.

Everything Jesus taught was always a progression.  He shifted the question from what was speculated to what was known.  Peter’s supernatural revelation is the foundational truth that opens the door to life—you are the Messiah!  Then, the contrasting life views are exposed out of that revelation, Carnal vs. Kingdom.

If we view life through the grid of self, we live as paupers in the palace.  Matthew 18 is built on the foundational truths of Matthew 16-17.   If we do not truly know Jesus and have not truly surrendered our lives and wills to Him, we cannot or will not truly, completely, and properly forgive.  If we do not forgive, we do not truly live.

Jesus and bitterness, anger, and hate are incompatible.  We have the power to change entire cultures and control the demonic powers “IF” we know Him, fully submit to Him, and follow His precepts.  Forgiveness, which flows out of God’s love, is displayed and practiced; we can bind and loose!

We are transformed when we see forgiveness in the light of His act toward us on the Cross!  The story of the debts being forgiven (Matthew 18), the failure to reciprocate, and the ensuing torment is an arresting revelation or visual.  

The once forgiven but unforgiving debtor was handed over to the tortures until the debt was fully paid.  When will it be paid? NEVER!  That is the message!  Failure to forgive is a rejection of God’s mercy for us.  It elevates the self to the pinnacle and places our feelings and desires above God.

We may claim to be Christians, but if we allow unforgiveness to live in us, we deny Christ.  Christ cannot be “IN” us and hate, bitterness, and unforgiveness live there, too.  Knowing Him enables us to endure wounds and still love and forgive because we Trust Him.

Life is not about us.  It’s about Him, and in Him, there is fullness of joy and All Spiritual Blessings.  He fills us with all we need when He is our all.  It is the self of Jesus, not both. The debt owed to us by others is minor compared to the debt He paid for us. Embrace His freedom and release forgiveness to others. It releases forgiveness to us.

Don’t live as a pauper in the place through unforgiveness.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven, and that condition of forgiveness opens the windows of heaven, giving us eagle’s wings and enabling us to live in His fullness!

Have a fantastic day. He loves you unconditionally and totally forgives you!  We need to do the same!   God bless!