In this article, we explore how the gospel shapes our understanding and practice of forgiveness. True forgiveness is not simply a feeling or a one-time act—it is a gospel-shaped response that releases the debt, entrusts justice to God, and reflects the mercy we have received in Christ.

One of the more-frequently misapplied passages of Scripture is Matthew 18:20, where the Lord Jesus is recorded as saying: “For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in their midst.” Whether this verse is thrown around at a men’s prayer breakfast, a church potluck, or a small group conversation in a living room, the subtle suggestion is that Jesus is not going to bother to show up when one of His followers is flying solo.