“The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.” (Matthew 18:27-28)

Forgive Because You’ve Been Forgiven

During a press conference after the Golden State Warriors beat the Washington Wizards earlier this season, a reporter started to ask Kevin Durant a question. Then, all of a sudden, he forgot what he wanted to ask. The reporter apologized and told Durant he wouldn’t waste his time. Durant paused for a second, and then said, “I feel you dog, it’s all good. I forgot a couple plays tonight.” While this interaction made for a funny moment, there is also a profound lesson to be learned from it. Instead of criticizing the reporter or complaining, Durant quickly pointed out that he wasn’t perfect either. 

Forgiving others is one of the most difficult things we are called to do as followers of Christ. When we remember that Jesus, God’s son, had to give His life so that our sins could be paid for, it puts forgiveness in a different perspective. Instead of thinking about how much we were hurt and angered by something someone does to us, we can focus on what Jesus did for us instead. God not only wants us to appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice, but he wants us to act on it as well.

There are no limits to the height or depth of God’s love for us. We should strive to have no limits on our love for others as well, especially when it comes to forgiveness.

– Joshua Doering

If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com