Called To Forgive Part One

 Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Today, I’m talking about a very tough topic.  It’s a very tough thing to do.  Forgiveness.  In fact, forgiveness is definitely a God thing and it takes the power of God in order to forgive.  Men can never accomplish it on their own.

Has anyone ever hurt you?  Have you ever hurt anyone?  If you’re anything like myself, I’m sure the answer is yes to both of those questions.  I’m ashamed of that in myself. I have been hurt, and I have hurt other people.  When we sin, it’s true what God says, it will cause death and destruction.  I think many of us forget that today or we choose to not recognize it.  

Sin causes death in many ways.  Many times we think of it as physical death, but sin causes death completely.  When we have hurt someone or someone has hurt us, what usually happens to that relationship?  It’s hurt isn’t it?  Sometimes, even destroyed.  I know in my personal life, I have lost many friendships over ridiculous sins that I committed but it caused such deep hurt, there still has not been restoration to this day.  However, there is hope for us as Christians.  Remember that our Lord has power over death.  He has conquered death.  Just as sin can destroy relationships, God can also restore them.  Remember the account of the Prodigal Son?  Luke 15:11-32.  We see towards the end of the parable the unfailing love of our God.  He will run to us with open arms when we repent and return to Him.  Relationships can be restored.  I want us to look at today’s Scripture however.  This set of Scripture is rarely talked about today in today’s church.  The reason I believe it’s not taught it because it’s such a difficult topic and hits home with many of us today.  

Jesus specifically commands us that we are to forgive.  There are no options in this.  Unforgiveness is not part of the Christian’s life.  This is hard because it’s hard for us to think of forgiving people who have done heinous things in our life.  We must do this, not necessarily for the other person but for ourselves.  When we forgive, a huge weight is lifted off our soldiers.  I know some of you reading may say, there is just no way, there is no way I can forgive this person.  I can write a whole book about this, but it’s a devotion so I’m going to challenge you to study a Christian’s life who outside of Christ has shown what I think is amazing forgiveness.  Read, “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom and research her life.  If Corrie Ten Boom can forgive the Nazi’s who killed her family in cold blood and tortured her, then we can forgive those who have sinned against us.

This however is why I call forgiveness a God thing.  We can’t forgive.  It’s impossible for us to forgive others unless we have God help us to forgive.  When someone wrongs us, we should pray to God asking for the Holy Spirit’s help to forgive the person we need to forgive or even to forgive ourselves.  We need to remember the last two verses.  If we don’t forgive, God will deal with us.  We must also remember that forgiveness is not only towards others but also towards ourselves.

As I’m writing this, I am realizing this is such a huge topic, that we need to continue this.  I’m going to create a series on this to help us understand and think through forgiveness even more.  Before the next devotional, please read Luke 7:36-50.  Read it, study it, pray over it and let’s walk through this study of forgiveness together.  I know I need it in my life.  Feel free to leave comments and questions.

Love you in Christ.