Forgiving Injuries

Matt. 18:21-35

How do you view forgiveness?

The two debtors have two different views. Let's take a look at the amounts owed first...

"The two debts are respectively ten thousand talents and a hundred denarii, being to each other in the proportion, of say, a million to one. The enormous disparity is intended to represent the difference between the shortcomings of all men towards God, and those with which any man can charge a fellow-creature." Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 217.

Here is the story of a Lord and a slave; then a slave and a fellow slave. The lord sees the debt of the slave and calls for payment, but the slave can't pay it and pleads with the the lord that he will pay it back in full. The lord is gracious and forgives the debt.

Now the slave has a fellow slave who owes him money. He goes to his fellow slave and demands payment. The slave attacks his fellow slave and begins to choke him out as a beast attacks prey to demand payment. The fellow slave pleads with him to allow him to repay the debt, but instead of forgiving him, the slave throws him into prison. Afterward, friends of the fellow slave alert the lord to this situation knowing of the former encounter the slave had with with the lord. The slave is now placed into the hands of those who would torture him until his original debt is paid. He gets what he was originally guilty.

"God deals with His debtors as the king dealt with the satrap. He is slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil He hath threatened. He giveth men space to repent, and by providential delays accepts the promise of amendment, though He knoweth full well that they will be broken, and that those who made them will go on sinning as before." (pg. 219)

Now we look at the attitude of each:

"Lord have patience with me, and I will pay Thee all," "He grants their petition, knowing that when the danger or the fit of repentance is over, the promise of amendment will be utterly forgotten." (pg. 219)

Truly God has not dealt with us in our sins, nor does He give us what we deserve. So how do you view your forgiveness today? It is temporary or are you truly grateful for the Lord's loving kindness? Will you be the one who asks for forgiveness from the Lord, but be quick to demand others to conform or "pay up" when it comes time; or will you just let it go... permanently!

The choice is yours! I don't know that I want the Lord to remember my sins and judge me for them because of my foolishness in not forgiving others!

Practice true forgiveness today. Forgive and let the debt you feel is owed to you today.

It is a good thing!