Forgiving Others 10.08.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Matthew, please read Chapters 18-20 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. You can also cut & paste the link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018-20&version=9

Today we will read about being humble; the lost sheep; forgiveness; marriage and divorce; the young rich ruler; the workers in the vineyard; and the two blinded men that were healed. Today's message focuses on the importance of being forgiving to others.

The traditional scribes taught that one should forgive his neighbor who had offended him three times, with this in mind Peter asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus' reply exposed Peter's attitude that he felt he was more superior if his forgiveness exended to seven days. This attitude was far from sufficent compared to the mercy of God and His willingness to forgive us without limitation. Jesus demonstrated that there was no forgiveness from God unless one's own spirit is equally forgiving. If we are unwilling to forgive those who have sinned against us, how are we to be forgiven by God of our own?

To demonstrate, Jesus gave a parable about a king and two of his servants, "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt." (18:23-30).

The servant who owed ten thousand talents owed an amount that would be impossible to repay even in a lifetime, but when he fell before the king the king had compassion on him and forgave him, releasing him from his debt. When that same servant found out that one of his fellowservants owed a debt to him (which was not merely as much as what he himself owed) he had him thrown into prison. However, when the king heard what he had done he became angry and had him sent to prison. "Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him." (18:32-34).

This demonstration is an example for all of us to follow, we can not expect to be forgiven of our debts if we are not forgiving to those who owe us. No one is perfect except Jesus and if someone was generous enough to forgive us for something that we have done to them shouldn't we be generous to someone who wronged us. Forgiveness is based upon God's redeeming love, it is fully and freely granted by His mercy and grace. In fact, Jesus, who suffered the most by dying for each and everyone of them allowed us all to be free from it's bondage. True repentance toward God is associated with our attitude toward our fellowmen and cannot exist apart from our forgiving spirit.

I understand that it can be pretty hard to forgive someone who has hurt you or a loved one, but by not forgiving them you are creating a pattern of destruction for you and your family. Hurt, leads to anger, which leads to vengance and personal vengance is not the answer, God will handle it. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-20)

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
In our attempt to avenge those who have hurt us, we learn that we not only harm them, we have hurt ourselves. Instead of having the spirit of forgiveness we have a bitter, vengeful heart. Lord, heal our broken hearts and help us to forgive them so that we are not bound with the chains that keep us from living the lives that You intended for us to live. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Enjoy you day and be blessed.
God Bless You,
Christina

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