A Nugget from New Life Network

Scripture for the Day (December 14, 2015)

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:15)

Forgiveness is a powerful thing in the Kingdom of God! The greatest event in all history was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That event was about forgiveness! It was the key that opened the door for the forgiveness of sinners like you and me.

The “Parable of the Unmerciful Servant” is in response to Peter’s question to Jesus about how many times we are supposed to forgive someone who sins against us. Peter suggested 7 times but Jesus said no, 70 times 7, which literally means you always forgive. Jesus then shared a parable with Peter where a servant of a King owed a tremendous amount of money (ten thousand talents) to the King. Some have estimated this to be approximately $10 million dollars in today’s money. The King was going to sell the servant and his family to help pay the debt but the servant came and worshipped the King and asked for mercy. The King forgave the servant the debt.

The servant later had a situation where a fellow servant owed him 100 pence ($20.00 in today’s money). The servant demanded that the fellow servant pay his debt but the fellow servant could not pay and came to him and asked for mercy. The servant threw the debtor in prison and would not forgive the debt.

The King found out what had transpired and chastised the servant as follows: 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. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:32-35)

As ministers, we have seen this scenario play out over and over again over the years. Unforgiveness has a backlash. It brings torment! It brings bondage! It brings this on the offended, not the offender. Regardless of how justified you think you may be to not forgive, you are without excuse. If Jesus could hang on a cross, be beaten and spit on, and still say with His last breath, “Father forgive them”, then you and I have no excuse. If we want to be free of torment then we must forgive. No exceptions!

We encourage you today to forgive all the people that have hurt you, even if that person is no longer alive or no longer in your life. Torment brings all kind of potential baggage with it which could include sickness, depression, anxiety and paranoia. It could affect your current relationships. You don’t need any of that. You need to be free!!! So forgive, and forgive quickly!!

 

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37)

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
 

 

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