Forgiveness is NOT an Option!

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother and sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

         

        
Jesus told the parable about a servant who was indebted to a king. He owed the king quite a bit of money. In order to repay the debt, the king was going to have the man and his children sold. After hearing what his fate would be, the servant begged the king for mercy until he could repay the debt. The king honored his request and forgave the debt. Matthew 18:23-27 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and their children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled his debt and let him go. (NIV)

  
             However, there was a man who was indebted to the servant. The servant asked the man for his money, but the man asked if his debt could be forgiven until such time that he could repay. The servant became angry and dragged the man off to prison having forgotten that the king had shown him mercy. Upon seeing what had taken place, the other servants went and told the king what happened. The king had the servant brought before him and told him that he was wicked. Therefore, the king had the man thrown into prison in order to pay his debt. Matthew 18:32-34 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all the debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. (NIV)

 

          Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do when you feel that you have been wronged. It requires the heart and love of God to be able to forgive someone after being hurt by them. However, this is God’s command and not an option. We MUST forgive others just as God forgives us on a daily basis. None of us deserves the goodness and mercies of God, but He issues this to us daily. Without it, we would be lost.

          Jesus used this parable to say that if we are unable to forgive those who have done us wrong, then He will not be able to forgive us. We can’t expect God to give us what we don’t give to others. As a matter of fact, having an unforgiving vengeful spirit will land you straight into hell. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive you sins. (NIV)

          So this verse lets you know that if you do not forgive others, God will not forgive you. Therefore, you will not make it into heaven. You must forgive and there are no exceptions to this rule. God loves us and He wants us to show that same love to our brothers and sisters. Many people are not going to make it to heaven just because they were not willing to forgive others.

          During slavery in America, many wrongs were done to the slaves. They were mistreated, abused, raped, and even killed. However, with even with the slaves, God required that they forgive their masters for their evil ways. Who have you failed to forgive? If there is anyone whom you have not forgiven, ask the Lord to help you. He will give you the heart to forgive anyone with whom you have an offense. Afterwards, you will feel like a better person because that spirit of Unforgiveness is off of you.

 

          You may ask what do you do when you have tried to be forgiven by someone who refuses to let it go? There is nothing that you can do. God sees all and the Lord says that vengeance is His. If someone refuses to accept you after you have tried to make peace, you shake the dust off of your feet and keep it moving. They obviously have a heart issue, which they need to take up with God. As long as God sees what you tried to do, you can move forward and never look back. Just make sure that you did your part and then, LET IT GO!

          God loves you. He cares for you and He desires us to be more like Him. Reach out to Him and to others who may have done you wrong. Forgiveness is not an option, but a must. Practice this and God will certainly bless your efforts.