The necessity of forgiveness
(Parables of Jesus part thirty five)
The parable of an unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35 comes to us on the heels of Jesus teaching about Christian relationships when one has wronged another. Peter probably thinking that he was being very generous asks if he should forgive the offender as many as seven times; Jesus answer should not be taken as a mathematical or legalistic formula, but is designed to show the unlimited spirit of forgiveness that should prevail in the heart of every Christian! The story is of a king that forgave one of his servants an indebtedness so great that it was nearly unimaginable; yet this servant having a fellow servant owing him a negligible amount by comparison, refused to extend forgiveness to him or to even have patience with him, treating him roughly. The conclusion of the parable lays emphasis on the need of a true heartfelt, unlimited, purposeful, forgiving spirit in the heart of every true child of God! The torturers are understood to be jailers who also inflicted punishment when instructed to do so. Does this imply the eternal loss of one’s soul? Very possibly, but it may also imply a lesser punitive punishment, giving hope of repentance and correction while still in this life. This we know that at the conclusion of His model prayer Jesus said, “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:15. Trespasses being defined as a side slip, an unintentional error, or a willful transgression. One thing seems certain that un-forgiveness will make you a prisoner of your own making; it will subject you to mental and spiritual torment and torture, until it has been resolved, to say nothing of hindering our prayer life and fellowship with God; in Luke 11:25 Jesus said, “whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him.” Un-forgiveness will cultivate a root of bitterness, and Hebrews 12:15 says, “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”
Forgiveness
By Rose Hill
If to forgive the offender you refuse to do,
Then our Father in heaven will not forgive you!
So forgive and forgive and never stop forgiving,
Let it be a part of your daily living.
Scripture quotations are from the New king James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.