Title
There is No Forgiveness with Judgement
Scripture
How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
(Matthew 18:21-22)
Devotional
The Lord’s instruction is not given as a formula for forgiveness, but as a manner of life. The best way for you and me to grasp forgiveness is to understand how much we have been forgiven. Many people fall short of our expectations. We, even more so, fall short of God’s commands. God has judged us through Christ. Therefore those who belong to Christ are no longer judged. We are to likewise not judge each other. It is one thing to judge a deed; it is quite another to judge the person. If we refrain from judging, we will be much more apt to forgive when seemingly wronged. If you continue to judge others, you will continue not to forgive them as well. When we judge, we are speculating that there was malicious intent, making forgiveness all but impossible. Therefore, do not judge and you will quickly forgive. Forgive, and you will not be judged.