By Steve A. Hamilton

Matthew 18:21-22

 Introduction: When we acquire a new car, somewhere along the way it is helpful to learn the capacity of the gas tank.  Depending on the miles per gallon and the capacity of the gas tank we can determine how far we can travel before we run out of gasoline.

          I believe each person has a unique capacity to forgive others.  Like gas tanks in a car each person’s capacity is different.  Some people are more inclined to forgive more often while others hardly forgive anyone at all.  The ability to forgive people of their sins (the capacity to forgive) is a subject found in many passages.

I. What is our capacity to forgive?

          A. It would be nice to know just how much people are willing to forgive.  I could ask, “What is your capacity to forgive?”  They could then answer, “I have a 16.9 gallon tank.”  I could then multiply that by the number of sins per day and I would know just how much that person could tolerate.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. 

          B. Peter wanted to know what his capacity to forgive should be (Matt. 18:21-35).

                   1. Jesus starts by telling Peter he should have an unlimited capacity to forgive.  

                   2. Jesus illustrates how the capacity to forgive can vary from person to person even among those who have had many sins already forgiven.

                   3. Notice the amount we have been forgiven doesn’t necessarily indicate our own capacity to forgive.  

                   4. If we can’t forgive small matters can we forgive large matters?

                   5. If we can’t forgive a few sins can we forgive many sins?

                   6. Our ability to forgive our brethren will affect our eternal destination.

          C. We will naturally love those who have an unlimited capacity to forgive (Luke 7:36-50). (Personally, I’d love a car with an unlimited gas tank.)

                   1. The more we are forgiven the more we will love.

                   2. Christ has an unlimited capacity to forgive.  We should have an unlimited love for him.

                   3. Christ expects us to have an unlimited capacity to forgive others as well.

II. Isn’t God the only one who can really forgive sins (Mark 2:4-7)?

          A. Forgiveness was a concept permitted only to God as God didn’t forgive sins under the Old Law.

                   1. The penalty for sins under the Old Law wasn’t paid (Heb. 10:1-4).

                   2. Christ paid the penalty for sin (Heb. 10:10-18).

          B. What does it matter if I forgive or not?

                   1. It matters because Christ has forgiven us (Luke 11:4; Col. 3:13).

                   2. If we don’t forgive our brother than we would be the hypocrite because Christ willingly forgave us (Matt. 18:35; Mark 11:25; Eph. 4:32).

                   3. What we collectively forgive God will forgive (Matt. 18:18-19).  

III. Do I have to forgive everyone?

          A. If asked for forgiveness we must forgive (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35; Col. 3:13).

          B. If I’m not asked to forgive do I have to forgive? 

                   1. Not even God forgives where there is no repentance.  It would seem to me that we are not obligated to forgive unless the evil is recognized in the person asking to be forgiven.

                   2. However, nothing says we can’t forgive when not asked.  Jesus forgave those who crucified Him without their asking (Luke 23:33-34).  Stephen forgave those who were stoning him to death (Acts 7:59-60).

                   3. Is our capacity to forgive unlimited if we only forgive when we are asked to forgive?

                   4. I might also suggest it could do us a world of good to forgive some sins when not asked too for the sake of our own mental health.

          C. What if they don’t mean it?

                   1. If asked to forgive we must forgive and let God decide whether the request was sincere (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

                   2. If the request is obviously insincere, it would seem to be our option to forgive if desired.

                   3. However, the problem we could get into is judging the sincerity of the request rather than just honoring the request (Matt. 7:1-6).  If the person asking to be forgiven is sincere and we perceive they are not sincere so we don’t forgive, who will stand in judgment in the end?  (I’ve seen it happen both ways.)       

Conclusion: Maybe the next time you fill up your car you’ll think about your capacity to forgive.  Yet, remember, all gas tanks have a limited capacity.  Our capacity to forgive must be unlimited.  Do you need to be forgiven?  Have you failed to forgive another who asked for forgiveness? 

Last modified: 05/02/08