“21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! ” (NLT) Matthew 18:21-22

I believe we are all familiar with the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35). Most of us even know this memory verse off heard. It is a good thing I must admit especially when we are talking of forgiveness. We all agree that forgiveness is very important in our walk with God as Christians. Simply, because we live in a world where people intentionally or unintentionally offend others.

Jesus’ teaching in this parable is straight forward on forgiving others without limit. However, the parable of the unforgiving servant gives more lessons than just the infinite number of times we ought to forgive others. Let us take a look at the last verse of the parable Matthew 18:35- 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Obviously Jesus is telling us, yes it is good to forgive others infinitely but the emphasis is on “forgiveness that emanates from the heart”.

If we do not develop the attitude of forgiveness which comes from the heart, then we will surely be under the same heat as this debtor, who refused to forgive another fellow his offence. In our case we will not have the chance to redeem ourselves like this debtor, who will be tortured till he pays his debt. Ours will be eternal condemnation and living away from God forever in hell. Forgiveness from the heart is one that involves:

Forgiving, knowing that each ounce of it brings you closer to God’s perfection in Christ (Matt 6:14 -15, 18:35, 5:48) and brings comfort and healing to yourself and others (2 Cor 2: 7)

Forgiving based on Love and keeping no record of offense (1 Cor 13: 5)

Forgiving one another because you seek their spiritual wellbeing (2 Cor 2:10-11)

Acknowledging the gravity of the offense and deciding to forgive generously as our Heavenly Father forgives us (Isa 55:7)

We have entered into a new year and God is cautioning us to surrender to him all our flaws. This is our opportunity to let go off lackadaisical forms of forgiveness and to take God’s nature of forgiveness that truly forgives and comes from the heart.

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