Matthew 18:33-35 (NKJV) Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
When we are contentious and harbour hatred towards someone, we are not thriving in our souls. We may not be sleeping well because the incident or the words spoken against us keep replaying in our minds, or we may be thinking of ways to win over or provoke the opposing party. We may even be considering pursuing a lawsuit over a matter that could have been easily resolved if we had forgiven the person and not let it fester in our hearts. It is a choice that God has given us.
Don’t let these practices plague you like “snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes.” (Joshua 23:13). We need to deal with them!
John 13:34- 35 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We are reminded of God’s mercy, compassion, and grace. He did not give us what we deserved but chose to forgive our debts, which we can never fully repay. He desires us to extend the same forgiveness to those with whom we live, work, and worship. There are many opportunities for us to take offence at someone’s remarks or actions—whether in church, at work, or at home. In fact, the people we are hardest on can often be our loved ones and fellow Christians because we hold certain expectations of them. In the workplace, when we occupy a position of importance, we tend to demand respect, privileges, and rights from our subordinates. If we do not receive the response we expect, some might even pick on them or make their lives difficult. We have received God’s grace and forgiveness for our sins. God has forgiven us in a way we could never achieve on our own. He is gracious, kind, and compassionate towards us. Therefore, we should also be compassionate, gracious, and kind to the people God has placed in our lives.
We can love because God first loved us. We walk in love when we walk in the Spirit, because God is love. We will choose to love God and people. Even though we may not be best friends with those who have hurt or betrayed us, we will not allow bitterness or unforgiveness to simmer or remain in our hearts.
People will see Christ in us if husbands and wives, siblings, and fellow brothers and sisters walk in love towards one another. We are being the salt and the light in the world when we extend grace, mercy, and kindness to people in this world that is full of hatred and divisions.
Sermon Series: Resolution for 2026
行在爱与饶恕中
马太福音18:33–35 你不应当怜恤你的同伴，像我怜恤你吗？’主人就大怒，把他交给掌刑的，等他还清了所欠的债。你们各人若不从心里饶恕你的弟兄，我天父也要这样待你们了。”
当我们与人争执、心中怀恨他人时，我们的灵魂就无法兴盛。也许我们难以入睡，因为那些发生过的事或别人对我们说过的话不断在脑海中重播；又或者我们反复思索，怎样才能胜过对方，甚至报复对方。有时，我们甚至会考虑透过诉讼来解决问题，而这些原本只要选择饶恕、不让苦毒在心中滋长，就可以轻易化解。这一切，其实都是神赐给我们的选择。
不要让这些状况像“网罗、机槛、肋上的鞭、眼中的刺”一样折磨你（约书亚记 23:13）。我们必须正视并对付这些问题！
约翰福音13:34–35 我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱，我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。 你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。”
我们被提醒要思想神的怜悯、慈爱与恩典。祂没有按我们当得的惩罚待我们，反而选择赦免我们永远无法偿还的罪债。祂也渴望我们将同样的饶恕，延伸给那些与我们一同生活、工作、敬拜的人。其实，我们每天都有许多机会因他人的言语或行为而受冒犯——无论是在教会、职场，还是家庭中。往往，我们最容易苛责的，反而是至亲与属灵的弟兄姐妹，因为我们对他们抱有某种期待。在职场上，当我们身居要职时，也容易向下属要求尊重、特权和权利；一旦得不到期望中的回应，有些人甚至会刻意刁难，使他们的处境更加艰难。然而，我们已经领受了神白白赐下的恩典与赦免。神以我们无法靠自己做到的方式赦免了我们；祂向我们满有恩慈、良善与怜悯。因此，我们也当以同样的怜悯、恩慈与良善，去对待神放在我们生命中的每一个人。
我们之所以能爱，是因为神先爱了我们。当我们顺着圣灵而行，就行在爱中，因为神就是爱。我们会选择去爱神，也选择去爱人。即使我们未必能与那些曾伤害或背叛我们的人恢复亲密关系，我们仍决意不让苦毒与不饶恕在心中停留或发酵。
当夫妻之间、手足之间、弟兄姐妹之间彼此相爱时，人们就能在我们身上看见基督。当我们在这个充满仇恨与分裂的世界中，向人施予恩典、怜悯与良善，我们就成为世上的盐和光。
讲章系列：迈向2026：立定心志，跟随主