Forgiveness is a Must
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT) “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Introduction: I bless the Name of the Lord for the life as we witness another week to study at His feet. Questions and contributions are welcome.
🙏 The Almighty God will keep all of us to the end in Jesus name.
This week’s topic is one aspect of Christian life that is difficult as we journey towards eternity. Questions and various answers on the topic can assist us with personal relationship with God.
During the course of Questions and answers in church, someone narrated how her sister-in-law bit her eyes while lying down in the living room. Sister-in-law’s reason was that her brother could not give to the family as much as before he married her. Therefore, she’s the cause of reduction in getting money from her brother. She was rushed to the hospital by her husband and that left scar on the face. There was family settlement and the sister sister-in-law apologised, attributing her action to the devil. The sister said she has forgiven her sister-in-law but anytime she looks into the mirror and sees the scar, the remembers. She now asked if it is possible to forgive and forget.
Another question is how do we know we have actually forgiven our offender?
We shall look at these two questions and any other questions that may arise on the platform.
There is no way offence will not come from anyone to everyone in this life.
Luke 17:1a . He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come...
Some offences are hurtful and unforgettable and since forgiveness is a Must, how do we handle this as obedient children of God?
Let us look at Peter’s question to Jesus on this issue of forgiveness and the Master’s response
Matthew 18:21-35 (NLT) Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all. ‘Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
This Scripture has been my guide anytime I am hurt from offence of others.
Looking at Peter’s question and answer from the Master,
We can draw deductions as follows:
1️⃣. No limit to forgiveness. “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! is metaphorical because nobody will offend you 490times a day. Jesus is simply saying forgive all the times.
2️⃣. Nobody can pay for salvation given to us through the Blood of Jesus Christ our King. Jesus represents the king that was owed millions of dollars in the parable. Despite humiliation and painful death of the cross, He said;
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
3️⃣. Like the servant who owed the king millions of dollars, All are debtors to Jesus Christ Who paid for our sins, to receive Forgiveness from the Father.
Romans 5:6,11-12(NLT) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
4️⃣. Since we could not pay for our debts, and Jesus forgave us, we must also forgive our debtors. For God to Forgive us is now dependent on us forgiving others. That is why it is stated in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
In case we do not register the implication of unforgiveness, Jesus reiterated it in our text for today; But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
5️⃣. Unforgiveness automatically makes us evil in the sight of God. And evil people cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’
6️⃣. Unforgiveness will now give Devil, the Christians tormentor-in-chief liberty to torment because that Christian is no more under the shadow of the Almighty.
Matthew 18:34-35 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
🤔 Anytime I read through the travails of Job in the hands of Satan, I clearly understand what Devil the tormentor can do.
❓Do you still have any reason or reasons why you cannot forgive?
Surely there should not be any reason for any Christian who wants to overcome the wicked ones in the place of prayer not to forgive.
❓Now, to our two questions. Can we forgive and forget hurts or pains received from an offence?
Yes, We can forgive and forget the pain or hurt because there is Balm in Gilead for every child of God.
Jeremiah 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
The Great Physician heals every hurt or pains through recovery of all that are lost. It is also established that Time heals. Christians are not expected to wait for long time before receiving healing that is made available by Jesus Christ from every wound. Delay can be dangerous.
There must be a ready made mind to forgive so as to receive speedy healing from hurts. When wounds are healed, hurts or pains are gone leaving only the scar.
❓Can we forget the incidence that brought hurts or pain?
No, just as the sister still sees scar on her face and remembers what caused it, so also we cannot forget the incidence that inflicted pain in our lives. Only those suffering from Amnesia, that is, loss of memory forget incidences and that is not the plan and will of God for us.
There is no sin in remembering someone’s offence. God Himself remembered number of times Israelites sinned against Him in the wilderness.
Numbers 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Therefore, we can forgive and forget hurts received from brethren but we cannot forget the incidence.
❓How then can we know that we have forgiven those who hurt us since incidence cannot be forgotten?
Anyone who inflicts pain in any form will be considered as an enemy. If we are ready to help or assist anyone who has brought pains to us, then it is an indication that we have forgiven.
Exodus 23:4 If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
❓Will you from the depths of your heart render help to whosoever that has offended you? Your answer will let you know if you have forgiven or not.
If deep down in your heart you are not rejoicing at the downfall of whosoever offends or brings hurts to you, then it is clear indication that you have forgiven your offender.
Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Whenever you are willing to give food or provide mains of livelihood to whosoever offends and hurts you is an indication that you have forgiven your offender.
Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
✍ Finally brethren, anytime we think of all the benefits from the Lord, there will not be any argument to forgive offenders.
Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
🛑 Please note that Forgiveness precedes God’s Benefits. To fully understand God’s benefits, visit Hospitals to know nothing is more beautiful than Health. Go to the Prison to appreciate that liberty or freedom is Precious and passing through cemetery brings to the reality that physical possession is Worthless, as you cannot fight nor defend anything in the grave.
❓Why will you not forgive at all cost to enjoy God’s benefits in this life and also in that which is come?
If you happened to be Joseph among your brethren that wanted you dead because of envy, and God lifted you up after passing through fire, what will you do?
Genesis 45:15 Moreover he (Joseph) kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
Remembering story of Joseph makes unforgiveness inexcusable for Christians.
Any Christian spouse that do not take heed to this issue of forgiveness cannot know the real bliss in marriage but pretence to be happy is seen even among Christian couples with unforgiveness.
Colossians 3:13(NLT) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Forgiveness is a Must.
✋ Maranatha.
