From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Example of Forgiveness – Part 4

That slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, “Pay back what you owe.” So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, “Have patience with me and I will repay you.” But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.” (Matthew 18:28-30)

Sins against others are not insignificant but they are small compared to the offenses against God for which He has freely forgiven us. That sinful flesh still influences saints is seen in the first slave’s hard-hearted ness against his fellow slave. The first man was much closer to his fellow slave than to the king, and the amount the king forgave him was hugely greater than the small amount he refused to forgive. Those realities should have made the first slave not only especially grateful but especially merciful. Obviously, he is not merciful, but instead presumptuous and callous toward his fellow servant.

This unforgiving behavior is morally unthinkable, bizarre, and irrational. For believers to refuse to forgive one another is completely unacceptable. Yet Scripture, history, and personal experience show us this is the way believers sometimes treat each other. This parable is an un-flattering illustration of the sin that still resides in every Christian disciple and causes much damage and conflict within the church. Although they have been completely and eternally forgiven, based on God’s grace and trust in Christ’s atoning work, believers often behave as if they have been forgiven because of their own merit. They might even look down on brothers and sisters with contempt and a sense of superiority, which does not in any way exemplify forgiveness.

Ask Yourself:
Have you in any way accepted God’s forgiveness as being even partially earned by your own good behavior? Turn your heart to the truth of the matter, that all you have been given is all of grace.