The Freedom Found In Forgiveness (Part 3)

By Pastor Matthew

The parable of the prodigal son teaches us that we are sinning against God our Father if we squander the life that we have received.  God expects us to invest ourselves to produce something good in the world.  Jesus also said something else about repentance in the parable of the unmerciful servant as follows:

Matthew 18:23-35

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents (a large amount of money); and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment be made.  So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.  And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, Pay what you owe.  So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you.  He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.  When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.  Then the lord summoned him and said to him, you wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you asked me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?  And in his anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.  Jesus said, so also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

In this parable, when a servant failed to pay what he owed the king, the servant fell down on his knees and asked for the king’s patience.  The king had mercy on the servant and forgave him of his large debt.  But this same servant refused to show mercy and forgive a fellow servant who owed him a small debt.  The king condemned the servant who refused to forgive his fellow servant.  Jesus’ point is clear, if we repent of sins, God will forgive us in the same way that we are willing to forgive those who sin against us.  In the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, Jesus makes this same point:  ”And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”  (Luke 11:4)

The parable of the unmerciful servant tells us that God will forgive our sins (1) if we repent and ask God to forgive us and (2) if we are willing to forgive others who sin against us.  Jesus said, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sin’s against you seven times in a day and turns to you seven times, and says, “I repent,”‘ you must forgive him.  (Luke 17:3-4)  Again, Jesus said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

How do we forgive someone that has not repented or shown any remorse?  Do I have to forgive an individual(s) that have not repented, asked for forgiveness, or show remorse of any kind?  The answer is yes!  We must forgive them by giving those individuals over to Jesus who have not yet repented or asked for forgiveness and allow Jesus to deal with them.  This means all of our anger, hurt, pain, etc. needs to be given to Jesus regarding the individual and or the situation.  When we stay bitter and angry we give Satan a foothold to further the discourse and further inflict pain in the lives of those involved.