Top X July 19, 2025 Devotional
July 19, 2025
MATTHEW 5:23-26 | 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift." 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
MATTHEW 18:21-22 | 21 Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?' 22 Jesus said to him, 'Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.'
Jesus has another, more profound reason for deepening the command against murder. He wants us to be changed, to become peacemakers and reconcilers, representatives of God’s healing love. This means we will have to forgo resentment and resist harsh and condemning behaviors. The capacity to forgive, in a radical 70 x 7 way, is not simply an instruction for moments when someone hurts us. It is also aimed at our transformation. If we are full of hate and anger we can’t convey love and compassion. The practice of forgiveness frees us to share and experience God’s presence and His wonderful agape. As we forgive we are freer to know His forgiveness and to appreciate and share His mercy and care. This teaching protects others and changes us.
Are you a 70 x 7 person?
Gracious God,
Show me the people in my life with whom I need to pursue reconciliation. Give me the courage to forgive.
Amen.
