WHY WE CAN FORGIVE

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus gave a parable that teaches us why we can forgive others. The parable was taught in answer to Peter's question, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" It seems that Peter was keeping a careful count of how many times his brother had wronged him. He had in his mind that seven times should be the limit--and then he would get even with him in some way. How shocked he was when Jesus answered:

". . . I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven" (verse 22).

That is 490 times! Jesus really was not setting any limits. He was telling us that we must always be willing to forgive others. And there is a big reason why this should be easy. Jesus has forgiven us a great debt of sin.

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents (at least 60 million US dollars).But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt" (Matthew 18:23-27).

In this parable, we are the servant who owed a great debt that we could not pay, and Jesus Christ is the lord who forgave that debt whenever we humbled ourselves before Him. We have experienced the wonderful feeling of having all of our sins forgiven, when we should have suffered because of them. The song says:

I should have been crucified,
I should have suffered and died,
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,
But Jesus my Lord took my place.

The debt that He forgave was great, so we should be able to forgive others who owe us a lesser debt.

"But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence (about 50 US dollars): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 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 fellow-servant, 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 18:28-35).

A person who holds grudges and unforgiveness in his heart has emotionally "been turned over unto the tormentors," because these things will eat like a cancer and destroy him. Forgiveness is the only cure for this kind of cancer.

Posted in: WHY WE CAN FORGIVE