The prison of Unforgiveness

Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus replied, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus then told the parable of a servant whose enormous debt was forgiven. Yet that servant refused to forgive a smaller debt owed to him. His master asked, "Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matthew 18:33). Jesus then gave a sobering warning: the unforgiving servant was "delivered…to the torturers," adding, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive" (Matthew 18:34-35). When we refuse to forgive someone for their sin against us, we can become prisoners of the very offence we are holding against them. The person who hurt us may have moved on, while we continue replaying the wound, carrying anger and reliving pain. But Jesus takes forgiveness deeper than emotional freedom. He says it must come "from his heart." We forgive not because the offence was acceptable, but because we have received immeasurable mercy. As we release others from their debt, our hearts become open to God's healing, peace, compassion and rest. (Nicky B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Mat18v21-22, bit.ly/Mat18v33, bit.ly/Mat18v34-35