Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Reflection
God’s grace for sinners should be the dominant flavor of the Christian community. Even though God is deeply offended by our sin and actively seeks to free us from it, he is nevertheless rich in his grace toward those who are willing to turn from their love affair with wickedness and put their trust in him. The kingdom of heaven is a place where sinners are mercifully restored (Matt. 18:15–20), and where people are quick to forgive and to seek reconciliation, knowing that God has graciously forgiven them (vv. 21–35; see also 6:12, 14–15; Mark 11:25; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
Romans 16:17-23
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
Reflection
There will always be opposition to Christ’s followers and their mission. This typically takes the form of divisive behavior and unbiblical teachings (Rom. 16:17). People use the church and Christ’s name for their own agendas (v. 18). Healthy gospel ministry requires a persistent avoidance of these deadly pitfalls (v. 19). God accomplishes his purposes and brings down his enemies in the end, including their leader, Satan himself (v. 20). God will destroy the work of Satan, crushing him under the feet of believers in fulfillment of the ancient prophecy that was spoken in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15).
As he prepares to close his letter, Paul gives the names of his inner circle of friends who are with him in Corinth, where he is writing (see Acts 20:2–3). As an apostle, Paul has a unique assignment (Rom. 1:5; 12:3; 15:15), but effective Christian leadership is no place for hard-core loners. Paul was a strong leader, but he worked alongside others who were building on the foundation he laid (see 15:20).
Psalm 116:5-7
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Is grace the dominant flavor of your thoughts and actions? Ask God how you can grow in your appreciation of his grace so that you will reflect the same grace in your daily life.