What Does Forgiveness Look Like?

July 27, 2026

MATTHEW 18:21-22 NKJV – (21) Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (22) Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Peter was suggesting seven times as a generous number. In Jewish tradition at that time, forgiving someone three times was considered sufficient, so Peter likely thought he was being extra gracious.

Jesus replies, not seven times, but seventy times seven, the point here is not about a specific number. The deeper message was this, Jesus isn’t giving a literal number (490 times). He’s teaching that forgiveness should be limitless, not something we count or keep track of.

Reflecting God’s Grace: Forgiveness reflects God’s mercy toward us. Just as God forgives us repeatedly, we’re called to extend that same grace to others (Verses 22-35). Forgiveness as a lifestyle: Forgiveness isn’t a quota we fill; it’s a way of life for those who follow Christ. Forgiveness has to do with making a decision, it’s not an emotion, or it’s not how you are feeling at any given moment, it has to do with whether you have made the choice to delete the offense.

So how will I know if I have truly forgiven someone and not just saying I’ve forgiven them? The answer is simple; ask yourself this question, “Am I still thinking the person who wronged you still owes you something?”

Forgiveness has been redefined to an earthly understanding. Now find out what Jesus says in MATTHEW 6:14-15.

SCRIPTURE READING:

MATTHEW 6:14-15

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself.