Forgive Extravagantly

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is powerful—powerful for those who grant it and powerful for those who need it.

Jesus was and is extravagant in His forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21:22, Peter asked Jesus how many times he should be expected to forgive his brothers. Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times…” Peter must have been relieved at the first part of this answer. Seven times is a great deal of offense. If a brother offends seven times, how can any more be forgiven? However, Jesus continued “…but seventy-seven times.” How shocking that must have seemed to him at that time, but after he denied Jesus three times, the extravagant forgiveness of Jesus must have provided great relief. Forgiving extravagantly always seems too much until we realize that is the kind of forgiveness we require as well.

The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus is an example of the power of forgiveness. After Jesus was arrested, Peter—who walked with Him, ate with Him, professed to love Him—denied Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed, Peter was reminded of Jesus’ prediction of his denial. In Luke 22:62, it says that Peter “wept bitterly.” What must he have been thinking at that time? Was he thinking of when he walked on the water with Jesus? Was he thinking about sitting and eating with him as he taught? The betrayal was bitter indeed because of the relationship he had with Jesus. Have you ever done something that shamed you to your core? Perhaps you are still living with that stain, believing that you could never be forgiven. The forgiveness of Jesus Christ is extravagant! He holds it out to you and wraps it around you like a robe. Receive that forgiveness from him, and stop living with shame that Christ died to cover.

When forgiveness is explained in the Bible, it is most often linked to your own forgiveness. Even in the Lord’s prayer, we are told to recite, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…” In the Kingdom of Heaven, your excessive forgiveness of others leads to your own sins being forgiven (Matthew 18:23-35). Harboring unforgiveness is a cancer that multiplies from bitterness to malice and from anger to wrath and slander. Unforgiveness leads to personal sin. It grows until it commands every thought, word, and action in your life. If you are harboring unforgiveness, lay that down now. Unforgiveness is deadly.

Think about it.

Consider whether unforgiveness lives in your life. Is there a grudge lodged in your heart that has stayed there for months or even years? How might you let go of that? Could you write a letter to that person? Could you even scrape up enough courage to call them?

Now consider whether you are living with shame that Christ wants to cover. Some people live with regret and loath themselves so much that they engage in reckless behaviors just to punish themselves. They know that they are bad. If this is you, it is time for tearful prayer. Ask for forgiveness from your Heavenly Father, and receive it fully. When you receive that grace, go forward a new person living, walking, breathing, enjoying the new life Christ has given to you. Once He has forgiven you, forgive yourself.

Read about it.

What does Ephesians 4:26-27 say about providing an opportunity for the devil? When you have been wronged, what is the proper response? Read about it in Romans 12:17-21. Read more about forgiveness in Mark 11:25 and Matthew 6:14-15.

Pray about it.

Dear Lord, thank you for your extravagant forgiveness in my life. I do not deserve it, but you offer it anyways. I accept that forgiveness now. Please reveal to me if any unforgiveness lives in my life. Please forgive me for withholding this forgiveness, and lead me to letting that go so I can live the full and abundant life you want for me. In Jesus name.