Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a very important element of Christianity. In order to be forgiven, one must forgive. I’m sure everyone has been hurt by someone in their lives, and I’m sure that everyone has hurt someone else. Always forgive and remember to forgive yourself as well.
How do we know when enough is enough? How many times should we forgive someone if they keep hurting us over and over again? Peter, an apostle of Christ had the same questions. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times” (Matthew 18:21). Jesus replied, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus basically told Peter that we should repeatedly forgive each other. Jesus followed up his discussion with Peter by telling him the parable of the unforgiving servant (this parable can be found in Matthew 18:23-35).
The parable of the unforgiving servant starts off with a servant who owes his master some money (ten thousand talents). The servant did not have the money and his master was very disappointed. The servant’s master wanted to sell the servant, the servant’s wife, and the servant’s children in order to make up for the debt. The servant pleaded with the master and begged that the master would have patience with him. The servant vowed to pay the master back. The servant’s master was moved with compassion and forgave the servant his debt.
Now, this vary same servant had loaned money (an hundred pence) to one of his friends. He went to collect the money from his friend, but the friend did not have the money. The servant then grabbed his friend by the throat and demanded his money. His friend pleaded with him to have patience. The servant did not have patience with his friend, instead, he put his friend in jail until the money was paid.
The servant’s master heard about what took place and was very disappointed. He sent for the servant. When the servant arrived, the master scolded him. The master said that the servant was wicked because he failed to forgive his friend. After all, the master forgave the servant perviously. The master then delivered the servant to the tormentors until his debt was repaid.
Jesus told this parable to explain how God will forgive us. We will be forgiven according to how we forgive others. ”For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). So, if there is anyone that you have not forgiven, including yourself, the time to forgive is now. Do not lose out on salvation because you have not forgiven your neighbor.
Remember the Lord’s Prayer and keep it in your hearts. God Bless.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
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