Pass It On

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" 'Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' " —Matthew 18:33

Bible Reading

MATTHEW 18:23-35

Devotional

Here is a simple story to instruct us in the truth that grace must flow on and on. Jesus told the story.

This particular man lived and worked at the court. His many connections made it easy to borrow money, and he took out hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the good living ended when the day of reckoning came. He could not pay. He fell on his knees and begged his master for mercy. And his master forgave him his huge debts.

Immensely relieved, he walked out. Then he met another servant who owed him ten dollars. He showed no mercy but insisted on full payment. He had the debtor put in prison until such time as someone would put up the money.

Then the king became very angry: "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" Throw him in jail! For the unforgiving, there is no forgiveness.

We have not been forgiven if we cannot forgive. "For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father also will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matt. 6:14-15).

Grace cannot be retained by those who are unwilling to pass it on. Love is not real if it does not become evident in deeds.

The master gives the unforgiving servant to the jailers to be tortured, and Jesus says that's how God will treat us unless "you forgive a brother or sister from the heart." That's a harsh statement—the loving Jesus speaks of torturers. But don't forget his exact words: the torture is for those who are anti-forgiveness.

Christ's words aren't a real threat to those who stand in the blazing generosity of their heavenly Father. Forgiven! All is forgiven! We are free from guilt and torture, debts and death.

REFLECTIONS

When have you learned how important it is to forgive someone who offended you?

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Even now I'm thinking about past circumstances where I held grudges or withheld TRUE forgiveness from someone who had offended me. The funny thing is, I've done so much wrong and have hurt people in my life - so how hypocritical would I be if I asked for forgiveness but didn't show forgiveness to those around me. So when asked "When have you learned how important it is to forgive someone who offended you?" - I guess I can say I'm constantly learning it.

"Grace cannot be retained by those who are unwilling to pass it on. Love is not real if it does not become evident in deeds." We cannot truly understand grace if we do not bestow grace upon others as its been shown to us. We cannot truly love if we're not living out love in our lives. The theme of grace and love are something we must study and grow in every day as we walk the roads of this world until we depart and join the Lord in Heaven. Christ was our example of showing grace and true love.

He sent us the Holy Spirit so that we would not be alone while we await His return. He has given us hope and joy. How can we sit and live a life of anger and be so unforgiving? Has anyone hurt us so much that we cannot forgive them? We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our lives are but dust and our righteousness is but filthy rags, yet Christ, in all His perfection and power, forgave us for all our transgressions. Theres no trace of any wrong, we're considered clean. If Christ can forgive, why do we allow our pride to stand in the way of true forgiveness and love? He commanded it, He ordained it. Lets ask the Lord to break our pride and break any bondage in relationships that stem from lack of love and unforgiving hearts. Lord convict us and show us where we must forgive and help us to do as you have done. Thank you, Lord. Amen.