One of the things that Jesus makes clear in Mt 18 and other passages is this; if you’re a believer, forgiveness of others is not optional for you if you want the blessing of God in your life!

Forgiveness means I don’t keep a record of wrongs

This principle is very similar to the one shared in Part 3 where we talked about Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean I Forget….but where I no longer allow the past to control me. 

In the same way, Biblical forgiveness doesn’t keep score.  Our tendency is to keep score when someone hurts or offends us, but we’re not to do that because as followers of Christ we’re to love as Christ loved us and forgive as He forgave us.

Col. 3:12b-14a NLT says: “….clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,… forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love….” 

And 1 Cor 13:5  is clear: Love doesn’t keep score of the wrongs that others do.

Save your scorekeeping for ballgames, but in relationships you’ve got to quit keeping score because scorekeeping destroys intimacy in relationships.  So quit telling the story – quit revisiting the wrong over & over – let it go – it’s only hurting you!  Forgiveness doesn’t keep score!