Letting Go the Jesus Way┃The Jesus Way
Pastor Matt Willingham
In Gospel of Matthew 18, Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not limited or conditional but a continual lifestyle for believers. Forgiveness means releasing someone from the debt they owe you and surrendering revenge to God—it does not mean excusing abuse, restoring trust automatically, or pretending the hurt is gone. Because we have been forgiven by God, as emphasized in Epistle to the Colossians and Epistle to the Ephesians, we are obligated to forgive others. The parable of the unforgiving servant warns that refusing to forgive leads to personal bondage, bitterness, and spiritual harm. Ultimately, forgiveness is not about minimizing the offense but about reflecting the mercy we have received from Christ and choosing freedom over resentment.