Lesson 3: Why Should We Forgive Others?

“A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Luke 7:41-42.

Once Jesus shared a meal with a very judgmental person. He used this story to show that a person who understands their debt and receives forgiveness will have great love for the one who forgives. Being judgmental and unforgiving shows that you have little regard for God’s forgiveness.

A warning from Jesus. Jesus gave us a prayer-pattern to follow in Matthew 6:9-13. Many of us have memorized this, and many churches have their congregations repeat this prayer every Sunday. But someone has suggested this is a most dangerous prayer because verse 12 says, “and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” These words mean we give Jesus the permission to forgive us the same way we forgive others! This means that if I am holding anger against someone for what they have done to me, not forgiving them, then I say to Jesus He does not have to forgive me either!

Jesus said, “A person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47). That should not sound like you or me. We should think of ourselves as the first person in the story rather than the second. Our debt is sin instead of money. God is perfect, holy and righteous. Any sin against Him deserves punishment, but He canceled our debt. When it is time to forgive others, remember the huge debt of sin God canceled for you, and forgive.


Many people do not think they need forgiveness. They might think, “My sins are small compared to THAT person. I’ve never committed murder or adultery.” But God has a higher standard. Jesus tells us that even being angry with another makes us guilty of murder, and looking lustfully at someone is equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:21-22, 28).
 
This shows that we all need forgiveness. The Bible goes on to say, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23). And, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
 
Forgive others because Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus died on the cross and forgave us from a debt we could not repay. Are you grateful for His sacrifice? I know I am. When others hurt you and sin, remember that you and I have hurt a perfect God. Instead of God being angry with us, He forgives us.

We should treat others the exact same way. When we forgive others, it is a small picture of God’s forgiveness. We can even make it an opportunity to share the gospel by saying, “Because God has forgiven my sins through Jesus Christ, I am able to forgive you.”

Prayer today: Lord, please help me to remember the gift of forgiveness You have given me when I need to forgive others. Help me to joyfully forgive others just as You have forgiven me.