Pardon Me

(490 Times)

Introduction – Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

When Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).

Today’s message is titled “Pardon Me.” It is about more than counting offenses; it is about living in the rhythm of God’s pardon toward us and our pardon toward others. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). That is the heart of God toward sinners like us.

If it were not for the mercy and compassion of God, where would we be? Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” We receive mercy; therefore we extend mercy. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

The question for us is simple but searching: Are we becoming merciful—or are we becoming hard-hearted? Are we quick to forgive, or quick to nurse resentment?

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I. Mercy: The Daily Foundation of Forgiveness

The only way any of us can draw near to God today is by His mercy. If God were not continually pouring out mercy, we would have no fellowship with Him.

Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Because mercy is God’s posture toward us, it must become our posture toward others. We do not forgive to earn God’s favor; we forgive because we have received God’s favor.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Notice the order: God forgave—therefore we forgive.

Forgiveness is not sentimental weakness. It is moral courage anchored in the cross where Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

When we remember how much mercy God has poured into our own lives, extending mercy to others becomes the most reasonable thing in the world.

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II. The Trap of Offense and the Enemy’s Strategy

Jesus warned that in the last days “many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another… and because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:10–12). Our adversary knows that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25).

So he tempts us with accusations, gossip, slander, fault-finding, rejection, bitterness, impatience, unforgiveness, and lust. Each of these corrodes love and erodes trust until relationships fracture. He delights when families, churches, and friendships splinter under the weight of unresolved grievances.

Peter counsels us, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). One of the most effective ways to resist the devil is at the onset—before an offense takes root. The moment you sense irritation toward someone, treat that moment as spiritual warfare. Do not rehearse the hurt. Do not draft closing arguments in your mind. Do not daydream revenge.

“By beholding we are changed,” so refuse to behold the offense. Behold Christ. Keep short accounts. Choose the way of love, because “above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

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III. What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t)

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). When someone wrongs you, a debt is created. Something was taken—time, trust, dignity, reputation, opportunity—and the offender cannot truly pay it back.

Forgiveness is the decision to cancel the debt and release the person to God’s justice. Romans 12:19 reminds us: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

When we refuse to forgive, we don’t hurt the other person—we hurt ourselves. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It locks us in a prison of bitterness, resentment, and self-pity.

Isaiah 61:1 describes the Messiah’s mission as opening the prison doors to those who are bound. Part of that freedom is the release that comes when we cancel the debts of others.

Forgiveness does not mean excusing sin, ignoring justice, or pretending the wrong never happened. It means we hand over the right of repayment to God, the only perfectly just Judge. Sometimes people cannot restore what they took from us. Even if they wanted to, they could never pay it back.

God says, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). When we release our offenders to Him, He steps in with restoration and healing.

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IV. Releasing the Debt