Mental Hygiene for Christian dotcomrades

Work these studies at your own pace. Join in if and when you feel like it. Your reflections are blessing the entire group and I thank you,

10. Forgiveness

M't:18:21: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? M't:18:22: Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. M't:18:23: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. M't:18:24: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. M't:18:25: 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. M't:18:26: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. M't:18:27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. M't:18:28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. M't:18:29: And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. M't:18:30: And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. M't:18:31: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. M't:18:32: 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: M't:18:33: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? M't:18:34: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. M't:18:35: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Peter here takes it for granted that we must forgive, but he wonders if seven times is sufficient. We have a proneness to put limitations on God’s commands. Jesus responds to Peter, “Not seven times, but until seventy times seven,” a certain number for an infinite number. To actually keep count of our brother’s offenses is in itself unforgiving. God multiplies His forgiveness and so should we. Jesus further illustrates by the following parable seven things:

1. A certain master forgives his servant a sum of ten thousand talents because the master was compassionate. Every sin we commit is a debt to God. We are all debtors.

2. There is an account kept of these debts. Our conscience upon awakening causes us to ask, “How much do we owe you, Lord?”

3. The debt of sin is enormous and some of us owe more than others.

4. The debt of sin is so great that we have no way in ourselves to pay it.

5. If God should deal with us apart from Christ and demand satisfaction of the debt, we would justly deserve great punishment for not satisfying the debt.

6. The servant knew he was in debt but wasn’t concerned about until he was called to give account. Although we have no means in ourselves we also beg God for patience with us.

7. The master grants discharge in full for the debt. There is forgiveness with God for the greatest of sin.

God cancels our obligation and judgment is vacated. The duty the servant has remains intact though. Now the servant is given the opportunity to do likewise and he fails to do so. This represents the sin of those who are selfish and unmerciful in their dealings with others. The debt here was very small compared to the servant’s debt. The servant is unrelenting in that he did physical violence in demanding payment to him. This debtor to the servant humbles himself and asks for patience, begging for time to repay the debt. The servant does not consider it and cast’s him into debtor’s prison. Many who saw this were grieved by the action of the servant. They went to the master and relayed what they had witnessed.

Our complaints should not be directed to each other, but brought to God and left with Him. The master is justly resentful of his servant’s cruelty and rightly so as he reminds him of the debt he had pardoned the servant of. He shows him his lack of compassion and lack of conforming to the example that the master had set before him. The master then revoke’s the pardon and demands punishment in the fullest. “Father, forgive us our sins as we forgive our debtors.” No malice can be harbored toward another if we do not forgive from the heart. God denies pardon when we disqualify ourselves of them. This is proof of lack of genuine repentance.

Can you tie today’s parable in directly with Calvary and one of Jesus’ last words on the cross?

Is there someone you just cannot forgive, but today realized that likewise you will not be forgiven by God?

Will this parable help you in not counting the sins of your spouse, or family, or neighbor against you and why?