Stories about Forgiveness

Jesus declares that God forgives and wants us to forgive others without holding a grudge. Mathew 6:14-15 - If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. The followings are discussed: Peter's Question about Forgiveness; Jesus Teaches Forgiveness, and Consequences of not Forgiving.

Peter's Question about Forgiveness: We are living in a sinful world where many are ignorant of their sinful conditions. God has promised to make us righteous when we confess and reject our sins (1 John 1:8-9). Rather than overlooking sin, we should rebuke sinners so that they can realize their wrongdoings, repent, and be restored to God. Christians are called to put hurt feelings aside and forgive completely. Rehearsing or counting on offences of someone will make the heart heavy and cause loss of sympathy and unforgiveness. Total forgiveness sets people free from grudges and internal damage. Jesus wants believers to forgive, reconcile and live in peace with all people (Luke 17:4-4). He wants us to posses forgiving spirit.

Jesus cautions about the danger of causing others to sin and wants people to practice unlimited forgiveness. The Rabbis had taught people to forgive three times a day, but Peter was not satisfied with that and wanted forgiveness to be extended to seven times a day. He might have made reference to Old Testament passages where certain requirements were based on seven times (Genesis 4:15; Leviticus 26:18; Proverbs 24:16).

Jesus' response to the matter of forgiveness was shocking when he demanded seventy times seven times (490 times) a person should be forgiven in a day (Mathew 18:21-22). He said this to show that God's mercy and forgiveness are unlimited. He wants us to forgive all times, all days. However, God's forgiveness is not a licence to continue in sin. God wants those who are forgiven to go and sin no more (John 8: 7-11). He will judge sin and punish sinners for disobedience.

Jesus Teaches Forgiveness: Jesus used the parable of debtors (Mathew 18:23-25) to show that forgiveness is costly and those who are forgiven are fortunate. Sin is like a debt that can not be cleared with one's entire possessions. The king had demanded justice when he asked the indebted servant to pay back the amount he was owing.

The debtor realized his debt couldn't be paid back, even if all property, his family and slaves were sold. So, he asked for mercy and extension of time to repay the debt. The king knew he could never repay the debt, he had compassion and forgave the entire debt (Mathew 18:26-27). The King's mercy can be described as God's mercy and grace toward us (Ephesians 2:4).

Consequences of not Forgiving: When the debtor went out and found a fellow servant who owed him hundred pence he held him and asked for repayment. The servant asked for mercy to repay the debt, but he wouldn't and sent him to prison. The fellow servants felt bad and told their lord what servant he forgave had done. Their lord was annoyed, and delivered the unmerciful servant to tormentors, to be punished until he should pay back all debt (Mathew 18:28-31). God has forgiven us the debt of sin we couldn't pay. Therefore we must be ready to forgive those who have sinned against us. Failure to forgive will cause bitterness and may destroy relationship of the person that is not forgiven with God.

The unmerciful servant, whose debt was forgiven was punished for his unforgiving attitude. He sent fellow servant to prison for a much smaller offence. God wants us to forgive offences of others because He has forgiven us far greater offences - the debt of sin (Matthew 18:32-33). Wickedness and pride can't make people forgive offences of others. Humility is required to show mercy and offer forgiveness. God demands forgiveness as an act of service for faithful living (Mathew 5:23-24). Lesson texts: Mathew 18:21-35; Luke 17:3-4.