Monday, October 5, 2026
Bible in a Year Reading Plan: Ezekiel 43-48 | 1 John 3
The Jacksons: An American Dream aired in 1992. The songs, dancing, drama, and Joe's belt lived up to the hype. There’s a scene where Jackie Jackson gets into a scuffle with five neighborhood boys, four of whom were from Boyz II Men. Jackie and the ringleader put on boxing gloves.
Long story short, I told my buddies that the fighter wasn't in Boyz II Men, but some disagreed. I was right, and thankfully, YouTube has my back.
It sounds like I'm keeping score, but I have exceptional recall. This example is just a playful memory that didn’t actually require forgiveness, but stepping into the past like it was yesterday means I see many transgressions as if they are present-day. I typically don’t have the need for revenge, but I’m like an elephant who never forgets and has a hard time getting past the hurt others inflict. As a result, I have to forgive them and myself on repeat.
Conflict is inevitable. You can walk away from a person, but you can't escape that hurt. It's in you. It keeps you from forgetting on your own. It's in the house down the street, at work, in the physical scars, or even in the face of someone connected to the person you need to forgive.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Forgiveness isn't as simple as saying, "I forgive you." How often have you or someone else said “I’m sorry,” but you know it was more of a formality?
Forgiveness isn’t that simple.
Jesus knows you hold on to transgressions. His teaching is to help you understand that forgiveness isn't governed by keeping score. Keep that scoreboard on and see the points add up against you for the hurt you’ve suffered and the pain you've caused. Before long, you will break down or get angry because you can only tolerate so much while playing that game.
Instead, Jesus challenges you to let go of the desire to keep score. Acknowledge the wrong, but don't let it control your heart. It's not supposed to be easy, but you don't have to make it more difficult. Please continue reading The Daily each day this week to see why forgiveness is necessary.
Questions:
What hurt do you carry because you can't stop keeping score? What would you change in your life if you could remember what happened without allowing it to control your heart?
Next Steps:
Name the hurt by telling God what happened and how it hurt you - separate forgiveness from trust by establishing boundaries. Keep praying for those you’ve forgiven.
Prayer:
Lord, I'm still hurting, so help me to forgive again. Help me trust that you will remove the pain from my heart. Help me understand why I need to keep forgiving. Help me remember that others keep forgiving me so they can move forward. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.