One of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian faith is the concept of forgiveness. In truth, the idea of forgiveness is central to the Bible since man is portrayed in scripture as a sinner in need of God's grace, mercy and pardon. Right alongside the forgiveness that man is in need of from God, is the necessity of man himself to be forgiving. But many people have an erroneous view of this type of forgiveness. Some think of forgiveness as:

1. A feeling - typically this is when a persons' anger against the offender has subsided. We no longer "feel" upset therefore, we must have finally forgiven the offender; is the usual assumption.

2. A matter of faith - some Christians excuse their lack of forgiveness on the basis of their growth as a believer. In other words, because they have not grown in their spiritual maturity they assume that it is alright if they do not practice forgiveness.

The Scripture, however; paints a much different picture of forgiveness. The best place to see this is found in Luke 17:1-10. Here Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not a matter of feelings, or even of faith...it is a matter of fact! Let's consider a few of the "facts" associated with forgiveness:

a. We live in a where we must practice forgiveness - vs.1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

b. We must always be willing to go the extra mile in forgiveness - vss. 3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

c. We must never think that faith is needed to be forgiving - vss.5-6 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

d. We must understand that the proper basis for forgiveness is obedience - vss. 7-10 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Jesus makes it clear in this passage that if He, the Master can forgive, then we, the servants MUST do likewise. We have not done any one a favor by being a forgiving person. Rather as the passage above makes clear, we have simply done our duty as one of God's forgiven children.

Forgiveness is not a feeling; neither is it a matter of faith. Forgiveness is a fact that is rooted in our obedience to do what God has commanded in Scripture.