Forgiveness: Understood, Received, & Given, Pt. 4

To follow God's example and forgive is a powerful way to live. To take the path of kindness and grace is so much better than the path of retribution.

Forgiveness: Understood, Received, & Given, Pt. 4

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

(Ephesians 4:32)

In our devotions this week, we have discussed what forgiveness is and what a blessing it is to receive it. Today and tomorrow, we will look into how we can extend to others what God has so lavished upon us: the blessing of forgiveness.

To follow God's example and forgive is a powerful way to live. To take the path of kindness and grace is so much better than the path of retribution and vengeance. In Matthew 6:15 Jesus said, "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Forgiveness is a beautiful thing to be enjoyed and yet often hard to give.

Lysa Terkelson has written an excellent book about forgiveness entitled, Forgiving What You Can't Forget. It is a transparent look at how she chose to forgive her husband who was unfaithful to her in the most egregious way. She writes, "It's hard to give. It's amazing to get. But when we receive it feely from the Lord and refuse to give it, something heavy starts to form in our souls." She also writes, "I believe with all my heart forgiveness received and given is the very thing that splits this world open with the most stunning revelation of the reality of Jesus more than almost anything else." (pp. 7 & 9)

In Matthew 18:21-35, we find one of my favorite stories or parables in the Bible. I have researched the modern-day equivalent of the monies mentioned and put these figures in brackets below.

"Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents [$11.9 billion if golden talents, $161 million if silver talents]. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii [$180]; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

This story Jesus told is so powerful. Considering all God has forgiven us, how can we not forgive others?