Daily Devotional - June 25th, 2026
“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?” — Matthew 18:33
“The heart that truly remembers its own mercy cannot comfortably withhold mercy from another. — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is more than good advice. It is the natural response of a heart that understands grace. Jesus illustrated this truth in the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant owed his master a debt so large it could never be repaid. Moved with compassion, the master forgave it completely. Yet that same servant immediately found someone who owed him a comparatively small amount and demanded full payment without mercy. He had received freedom but chose to keep someone else in bondage.
That story reaches into every human heart. We all stand before God as debtors who could never earn forgiveness, yet through Christ, mercy is freely offered. When we refuse to forgive others, we act as though we have forgotten the price that was paid for our own redemption. Like a person rescued from drowning who refuses to throw a rope to someone else, we disconnect ourselves from the very compassion that saved us. Gratitude for God’s forgiveness should soften our hearts toward those who have wronged us.
A free society depends on justice, but healthy relationships depend on mercy. The Golden Rule invites us to treat others not according to what they deserve, but according to the grace we ourselves hope to receive. Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing or eliminate accountability. It releases bitterness and places judgment in God’s hands. That choice reflects the character of Christ, who forgave even while enduring the greatest injustice ever committed.
Scripture:
“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?” — Matthew 18:33
Daily Application:
Forgive one person today. Whether through a conversation, a prayer, or a decision in your heart, release the debt you have been carrying and remember the greater debt Christ has already forgiven in you.