Sunday Rewind 02.17.08

One of the major problems in the Church today is that forgiven people forget and refuse to forgive. Today, we asked the question, "What if we forgave?"

One day, Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive people. Jesus' answer was simple. He expects his disciples to live in a continual attitude of forgiveness. Then he told a story. You can read it here. In this story, Jesus makes two points:

1. The example has been set. All of us have a debt that is beyond our ability to pay. But God, in his mercy, offers to forgive us. In this, he sets the example of forgiveness for us.
2. The example is to be followed. It is not reasonable for people who have received God's mercy to refuse to extend His mercy to others.

Here's the point. When we choose unforgiveness, we imprison ourselves in the bonds of bitterness and anger. But when we choose to forgive, freedom is ours.

The choice is ours. What if we loved each other enough to forgive?