If you are a Christian, then you know the great forgiveness that Jesus offers us when we ask and repent. However, we often overlook another important aspect: the emphasis Jesus places on forgiving others. First, let's look at what Jesus teaches us in the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor from Matthew 18:21-35.
Peter's Question On Forgiveness
To begin, Peter asks Jesus how many times must he forgive someone who has sinned against him. Peter suggests seven as a nice number of times to forgive, but Jesus says no, seventy-seven times. In other words, Jesus is telling Peter that forgiveness isn't optional— we must always forgive.
The Parable Of The Unforgiving Debtor
Then our Lord tells a parable to reinforce what He has just said. Jesus begins by saying that the "kingdom of Heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants." He tells a story about a servant who went before the king owing ten thousand talents. It would take an average laborer in those days working 50 million days to pay off such an enormous debt. Such a great debt would have been impossible for the man to repay. Since the man couldn't pay the debt, the king was going to sell the man's wife and daughter into slavery to pay the bill. Begging for mercy, the king felt pity and cancelled his debt. What a great mercy was extended to this undeserving servant.
The Unforgiving Servant’s Actions
The man, whose enormous debt had been forgiven, ran into another fellow servant who owed him approximately a third of a year's wages. The forgiven servant demanded to be repaid. The servant begged for patience, but the forgiven servant threw him into prison until the debt could be repaid. The forgiven servant showed no pity or mercy for the man who owed him money.
The King’s Judgment And Jesus’ Lesson
The other servants who saw this were outraged and told the king. When the king learned what had happened he called the forgiven servant in and told him that he should have shown his fellow servant mercy, just as it had been shown to him. The king handed over the servant to be tortured until he could pay back what he owed. In the same way, Jesus tells the disciples, you will be treated by God if you refuse to forgive others from your heart.
Our Debt And Responsibility To Forgive
This parable illustrates a key lesson for all Christians: we have been forgiven of an unpayable debt, and therefore must extend that same forgiveness to others. Our sins against God have all been forgiven when we receive Christ. His forgiveness is truly beyond our comprehension. Because Jesus has totally forgiven us, we should, from the heart, forgive those who sin against us. If we can't do that, then we might question if we truly know God.
Jesus' Teachings On Forgiveness
In Matthew 6:14, our Lord says that if we forgive others, then God will forgive us. In Luke 6:37, again Jesus says if we forgive, we will be forgiven. And in the Lord's Prayer, in Luke 11:4, Jesus says, " And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." According to Mark 6:15, God will not forgive our sins, if we don't forgive others. Jesus tells us in Mark 11:25 that when we pray, we should forgive people, so that our Father in Heaven will forgive us.
Paul’s Teachings On Forgiveness
Paul explains in Ephesians 4:32 that we should forgive others just as Christ forgave us. In Colossians 3:13 Paul says to "forgive as the Lord forgave you." The grace that we have received from God should be extended to others. As Paul tells us in Romans 8:38, "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
The Examples Of Jesus And Stephen
Jesus showed us what forgiveness from the heart looks like when, as He was dying on the cross, He forgave his murderers. He tells His Father, "they know not what they do." Another example of forgiveness from the heart is in Acts 7:54-60. In this passage, Stephen, full of faith and power, looks up into Heaven as he is being stoned to death, and says, "Do not charge them with this sin."
Embrace Forgiveness For A Peaceful Heart
Our forgiveness should be as unlimited as God's was towards us. We shouldn't "keep count" of the number of times we have been offended or hurt. Forgiveness heals us, while a lack of forgiveness leads to bitterness. We are warned against bitterness in Ephesians 4:31 and in Hebrews 12:31. A bitter person is often harsh, resentful, cynical, cold, and difficult to be around. These feelings are the opposite of what a person filled with the fruits of the spirit experiences—love, joy, and peace. We should embrace forgiveness to have a peaceful heart.
Forgiveness And Personal Boundaries
Forgiveness doesn't mean that we should accept violence directed towards us. Sadly, physical and emotional abuse often comes at the hands of the people we love the most. Reconciliation may not be possible in certain situations. We can forgive someone and not always trust them. We can forgive someone while still holding that person accountable for their actions. What is important in forgiving someone who has committed violence towards us or others that we love, is to let go of negative emotions like revenge, anger, and resentment. We can pray for and love someone without having contact with them.
The Example Of Ananias And Saul
In Acts 9:13-14, we read about Ananias and his vision from the Lord. In this vision he was commanded to restore Saul's (Paul's) sight. Ananias was fearful, having heard of Saul's violence towards the saints. Ananias reminds God of this fact. God tells Ananias to be obedient because Saul was a "chosen vessel" for God's work. God's assurance to Ananias that Saul was chosen for God's work was enough for Ananias to be able to forgive Saul, embrace him as a brother, and obey.
The Depth Of True Forgiveness
Forgiveness has to be from the heart, not just words we say. It definitely isn't easy sometimes to forgive. We need God's help to have the strength to forgive. Think about your relationships. Is there someone you need to go to and ask forgiveness for something you have done? Forgiveness is a two-way street many times. Hurt can be on both sides in a relationship.
The Blessings Of Forgiveness
For some relationships, there may be no reconciliation, but there can still be forgiveness. There can still be God's love and His peace. Ultimately, forgiveness is both a command and a gift from God, bringing not only healing to our relationships but also the assurance of God's grace in our lives. When we embrace forgiveness we are blessed by God for our obedience. As we forgive others, we are forgiven. What greater blessing can there be than that?
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