The second most important skill and action involved in successful relationships, friendships, and marriages forgiveness. Great relationships are forged with the tons of love and forgiveness.

The truth about forgiveness is… it isn’t easy. Because you never have to forgive someone for something that doesn’t matter. The only time you have to forgive is when you’ve been hurt.

The good news about forgiveness is that it keeps Satan from gaining a foothold into your relationships. Paul tells us this: "If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven… I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us" (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Let me make Ten Quick Observations with you about this, so you can see what Jesus is saying to us.

First, Peter Wants to Know How High to Count; Jesus Doesn’t like it When We Keep Score.

Second observation: The word Jesus uses for "forgiveness," means, "To Set Aside Your Anger."

Third, a Talent = 15 Year’s Wages. This Is a Big Sum.

Fourth, a Denarius = 1 Day’s Wage.

Fifth, the Servant Owed an Outrageous Amount to His Master.

Sixth, No One Borrows 150,000 Year’s Worth of Pay. This Servant must Have Been an Embezzler.

Seventh, The King Is Willing to Forgive an Inconceivably Large Debt.

Eight, the King Is Much More Angry about the Servant’s Lack of Macrothumia for a Fellow Servant than about His Sin Against the King.

Nineth, How We Treat Others Matters to God More than How We Treat Him.

Tenth, Those Who Have Been Forgiven must Forgive.

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? Let me give you four reasons.

I don’t want to give Satan a foothold in my life.

I want peace in my life, not bitterness.

You Are Not Perfect.

Christ Forgave You.

The last thing Jesus said while He was dying on the Cross was, "It is finished." TETELESTAI. The word means, "PAID IN FULL."

Jesus knew He was going to do that when He made up this parable. He knew He was going to be the one to forgive your unpayable debt by paying it Himself. Tetelestai.

Then, How Do I Forgive?

Make a Decision to Forgive.

Say the Words — at Least to Yourself.

When You Forgive, Forgive – put your anger aside, put your hurt, your resentment, your right to revenge aside.

Forgive Completely.

"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13).

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray by saying, "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debts." (Matthew 5:13).

Start today to excel at macrothumia, at setting aside your anger and forgiving as the Lord forgave you.