[James Settle]

This is a very significant passage. First and foremost, forgiveness is key and a foundational to our faith. Jesus makes it plain if we are unable to forgive others, God is unable to forgive us. This reminds me of 1 Cor. 13:1, where Paul says we can speak in the tongues of men and angels, but if we don’t display love it is just noise. This shows how love and forgiveness are intertwined (James, 2019.)

When we don’t forgive, it ends up hurting us more than it does the person we are holding the grudge against. Many times you are carrying around hurt and pain & bitterness while the other person is walking around free as can be because they don’t even know that they offended you, or hurt you to that degree, or you never told them. The enemy will take advantage of this because the more you let it fester and brood within you, the more that molehill turns into a mountain in your life.

The unforgiving servant in Matt. 18:21-35 shows us what an unforgiving person receives from God(James, 2019.) So we have to learn to do what 1 Peter 5:7 says and “cast our cares upon him,” let it go and give that hurt completely over to God so we can be healed & continue to grow in grace (James, 2019.)

References

James, K. (2019). Holy Bible: King James Version, 1611 Edition.