Living LifeWise: The Unmerciful Servantનમૂનો

When I was a kid, I had a terrible habit of losing things: jackets, homework, water bottles, you name it. If it could be left behind somewhere, I probably left it there. At least once a month, I’d realize something important was missing and I’d sheepishly go to tell my mom.

She’d sigh, give me “the look,” and then—without fail—help me retrace my steps to find it. Sometimes we had to replace the missing item with a new one. My forgetfulness came at a cost. There was one time, after I lost my house key for the second time in a single week, that I caught her closing her eyes and moving her lips. I remember holding my breath until she exhaled: “Amen.” She was a woman of faith, trusting the Lord to work all things for her good.

The truth is, I deserved for her to throw up her hands and say, “That’s it. I’ve had enough. You’re out of chances.” But she didn’t. She never disowned me over a lost lunchbox or a missing sweatshirt. Instead, she kept forgiving me … over and over again, even when I didn’t deserve it.

Peter probably felt the same way when he went to Jesus in Matthew 18 and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” Seven seemed like a generous number to him. But Jesus replied, “I tell you, not as many as seven, but seventy times seven.” In other words, forgiveness doesn’t come with a limit.

And here’s why: God doesn’t put limits on His forgiveness toward us. No matter how many times we’ve messed up, failed, or sinned, Jesus paid the debt for every single wrong when He died on the cross. When we trust Him, we’re forgiven—completely and forever.

When you think about that kind of mercy, it changes the way you see people who wrong you. It’s hard to keep holding onto anger when you realize God didn’t hold anything against you. Forgiven people forgive, not because it’s easy, but because we’ve been shown a mercy that never runs out.

Reflect: Read Matthew 18:21-22. Think about how mercy plays a role in forgiving others without keeping score. Identify areas in your life where you might need to let go of resentment and choose forgiveness instead.

• Why do you think forgiving someone “without limits” is so hard?
• How does God’s forgiveness change the way you see others?
• Can you think of someone God might be calling you to forgive?

Pray: Ask God to help you see the ways you’ve been forgiven and to open your heart to show that same mercy to others, even when it’s difficult.