Matthew 18:21-35
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”
Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’
“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
September 1st…a new month…the meteorological start of a new season…and maybe the start of a new “season” for us as Christians! Too much to ask? I’m guessing that there are quite a few of us who need a new “season” in our faith…and perhaps a renewed determination to operate in forgiveness.
This was a troubling summer for me…and for many of my friends and loved ones. We were greatly impacted – and yes, hurt – by the words and actions of several people. Speaking personally… I knew some of these folks well…others were only acquaintances…and some I didn’t know at all except via the news media. But in each instance, things were said and done that affected me tremendously and made me question some “friendships” and acquaintances, the safety and inclusiveness of “church families,” and what the world is coming to in general! And I will be the first to admit that more than once, I have had a hard time offering forgiveness.
But at the end of the day, my prayer and soul searching over these situations came down to this…Jesus forgave ME…and because of this, I must also forgive. I can’t say that I will forget…and I am forever changed in some cases because of what was said and/or done…but I must forgive those involved and love them with the love of Christ.
I’m not suggesting that you have to personally go to each person and offer forgiveness…but in our hearts, we must forgive those who have hurt and offended us – and start to treat them with love and compassion. Hard to do? You better believe it! But don’t you suppose that it’s hard for Jesus to love us on any given day? Let’s face it…we don’t make it easy for Him!
If you really want to operate in Jesus’ forgiveness, you have to forgive others…ALL of them! Some of us have a lot of work to do…and it’s time we got busy! Are you ready to begin a new "season" and “share” in Christ’s forgiveness? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”
Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’
“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
September 1st…a new month…the meteorological start of a new season…and maybe the start of a new “season” for us as Christians! Too much to ask? I’m guessing that there are quite a few of us who need a new “season” in our faith…and perhaps a renewed determination to operate in forgiveness.
This was a troubling summer for me…and for many of my friends and loved ones. We were greatly impacted – and yes, hurt – by the words and actions of several people. Speaking personally… I knew some of these folks well…others were only acquaintances…and some I didn’t know at all except via the news media. But in each instance, things were said and done that affected me tremendously and made me question some “friendships” and acquaintances, the safety and inclusiveness of “church families,” and what the world is coming to in general! And I will be the first to admit that more than once, I have had a hard time offering forgiveness.
But at the end of the day, my prayer and soul searching over these situations came down to this…Jesus forgave ME…and because of this, I must also forgive. I can’t say that I will forget…and I am forever changed in some cases because of what was said and/or done…but I must forgive those involved and love them with the love of Christ.
I’m not suggesting that you have to personally go to each person and offer forgiveness…but in our hearts, we must forgive those who have hurt and offended us – and start to treat them with love and compassion. Hard to do? You better believe it! But don’t you suppose that it’s hard for Jesus to love us on any given day? Let’s face it…we don’t make it easy for Him!
If you really want to operate in Jesus’ forgiveness, you have to forgive others…ALL of them! Some of us have a lot of work to do…and it’s time we got busy! Are you ready to begin a new "season" and “share” in Christ’s forgiveness? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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