In Matthew, Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not something we count but a way of life shaped by the mercy we have received from God. This sermon honestly acknowledges how difficult forgiveness can be when wounds are deep and trust has been broken. Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing, eliminate appropriate boundaries, or require reconciliation with someone who remains harmful. Instead, Christ invites us to tell the truth, pursue justice, release vengeance, and place what we cannot carry into God’s hands. Through God’s sanctifying grace, resentment can loosen its grip, mercy can flow through us, and wounded hearts can begin moving toward freedom.
