07/26/2021
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"Forgiveness Without End"
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Why in the world would I forgive a brother or sister in Christ when they have wronged me? Why would I do as Jesus says and forgive them 77 times? Bonhoeffer makes a suitable case for why…
What brings us to a heartfelt forgiveness of one another for every sin? Dear brothers and sisters, those who have the experience of God tearing them out of a great sin and forgiving them; those to whom God has sent a brother or sister in such an hour to whom we could tell our sins; those who know the struggle the sinner wages against this help because we do not want to let ourselves be helped; and whoever nevertheless has discovered that our brother has absolved us from our sins in the name of God and in prayer –– from such a one, all passion for judging and bearing grudges disappear; we want only one more thing: to share in the plight of our brother and sister, to serve, to help, to forgive, without measure, without conditions, without end. We can hate our sinful brother and sister no longer, but love them all the more, and forgive them everything, everything. Oh Lord, our God, let us experience your mercy, that we may practice mercy without end! Amen. Amen.
From A Testament to Freedom 262-263
