What does it look like to be a man who chooses the Jesus script? What does this act like? What does this feel like? What does this react and respond like? We find the answer by simply following Jesus. So, let’s get started.
A man who chooses the Jesus script is…
A man who forgives regardless, without being asked.
The Gospel writer Matthew summarized a conversation Jesus had with Peter about that very thing.
Peter came to Jesus. He asked, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to collect all the money his servants owed him. As the king began to do it, a man who owed him 10,000 bags of gold was brought to him. The man was not able to pay. So his master gave an order. The man, his wife, his children, and all he owned had to be sold to pay back what he owed.
“Then the servant fell on his knees in front of him. ‘Give me time,’ he begged. ‘I’ll pay everything back.’ His master felt sorry for him. He forgave him what he owed and let him go.
“But then that servant went out and found one of the other servants who owed him 100 silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he said.
“The other servant fell on his knees. ‘Give me time,’ he begged him. ‘I’ll pay it back.’
“But the first servant refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison. The man would be held there until he could pay back what he owed. The other servants saw what had happened and were very angry. They went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the first servant in. ‘You evil servant,’ he said. ‘I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers. He would be punished until he paid back everything he owed.
“This is how my Father in heaven will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
—Matthew 18:21–35
The point is clear: those who have been forgiven much should forgive much.
Because of Jesus, all of our sins have been forgiven. Our debt has been wiped clean. What choice do we have but to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us?
A man who follows the Jesus script forgives regardless. It doesn’t matter how many times he’s forgiven before, what was done to him, or what it costs him. And he forgives without being asked. You know what most often causes us to withhold forgiveness? Pride. But consider this: Jesus, our King, didn’t let pride stop him from carrying a cross to a hill outside of Jerusalem to be crucified for your sin debt.
Are you keeping a list of wrongs committed against you? Is there someone you need to choose to forgive today? Choosing to forgive isn’t always easy. It requires the courage of a lion and the humility of the lamb. But it’s what forgiven men do.
