Got
Forgiveness?
The Bible says, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive
him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)
Chuck Swindoll reports that a seminary student in Chicago faced a similar forgiveness
test. Although he preferred to work in some kind of ministry, the only job he could find was driving a bus on Chicago's south
side. One day a gang of tough teens got on board and refused to pay the fare. After a few days of this, the seminarian spotted
a policeman on the corner, stopped the bus, and reported them. The officer made them pay, but then he got off. When the bus
rounded a corner, the gang robbed the seminarian and beat him severely. He pressed charges and the gang was rounded up. They
were found guilty. But as soon as the jail sentence was given, the young Christian saw their spiritual need and felt pity
for them. So, he asked the judge if he could serve their sentences for them. The gang members and the judge were dumbfounded.
“It’s because I forgive you,” he explained. His request was denied, but he visited the young men in jail
and led several of them to faith in Christ.
Is there someone whom you need to ask forgiveness? Is there
someone you need to forgive? Where forgiveness is hindered, there is a wound which will fester and grow. Untreated it will
kill the organism!
Daily Chronological Bible Reading: Matthew 18