What to Read When…Others Have Sinned Against You

Matthew 6:14-15 –“Because if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” 

Matthew 18:21-35 –Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?” Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times!  That is why the kingdom from heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 

When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him. 
Because he couldn’t pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made. Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything!’ The master of that servant had compassion and released him, canceling his debt. 

“But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you!’ But he refused and went and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt. 

“When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. Then his master sent for him and told him, ‘You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he could repay the entire debt. 

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts.” 

Colossians 3:12-14 –Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity. 

James 2:12-13 –You must make it your habit to speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty. For the one who has shown no mercy will be judged without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.