Jesus tells the parable of a servant who was forgiven of a great debt, yet refused to cancel the debt that was owed to him. In this parable Christ is illustrating what he had previous modeled in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." -Matthew 6:12. Just like our debt of sin, ten thousand talents would have been impossible for this servant to repay. In Christ we have been forgiven for the insurmountable wage of our sins. For this reason we are called to forgive those who have wronged us. The motivation for and power behind this kind of forgiveness is love. “. . . it (love) keeps no record of wrongs.” - 1 Cor. 13:5
Father, thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to the cross to pay my debt of sin. Reveal to me anyone who I need to forgive and help me to show them the same kind of limitless love you have shown me.
I'm praying for you.
Matt Moore
What does this say to me when the weakest and most vulnerable faction in our society is chosen as the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? Humility is thrust forth as a key. The words like (change) and (become like) a child also stand out. The equating of entertaining Jesus Himself also charges my imagination. The heavy warning against not causing a child to sin causes me to be concerned over the condition of our world. As I write this, I am standing on the 11 floor of the Florida Hotel and Conference Center looking over Orlando. I am wondering how many children out there are being forced against their will to participate in sinful activities. How many are being taught to steal, kill, lie, cheat, or con others? How many are being abused by adults? Does the failure of a parent to model Godly character qualify here? Do thoughtless, hurting words spoken in anger which plant seeds of resentment, mistrust, and bitterness count under this heading? Does crushing a child’s dreams or failing to give loving correction when needed constitute leading them into sin? This is a reminder that our actions have consequences in our lives and the lives of others. Sin takes many forms and God does not like any of them. Woe to the one through whom sin infects another. If there is ever a warning for us in the Scripture to change our ways, it is here. God is really interested in the little ones and so must we be interested in them. Some argue that this could also be a reference to those young in the faith. One fact that should catch our attention is that they have an angel assigned to them and God cares where they are. Forgiveness is the theme of the rest of this chapter. I chuckle at this point for Tuesday night our elective program was viewing a DVD on the Power of Forgiveness. Just a coincidence??? I think not. God does that a lot for me when He wants to drive a point home. Unforgiveness is a cancer which attacks the holder and effects all relations to the holder. In short, God requires us to forgive. For many more reasons than I have room to note, God requires that response from us. Basically, it says those who do not forgive will be tortured and tormented. You and I both have been in the presence of wrecked lives who have been crippled by an unforgiving heart. I do not see an exception clause, nor do I believe there is an exception clause. The bottom line is that forgiveness is commanded by God and benefits me and the one being forgiven. This is not a wave at it forgiveness, it is to be FROM YOUR HEART. That is the same place where we make our belief in Jesus personal. Maybe at no other place of heart do we take on the character of God as we do when we choose to forgive. In short, those who choose to forgive are set free. “What is required of you O man (and women) to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” It is reported that 95% of the reason for depression is unresolved anger. This anger stems from unforgiveness because we want to retain the right of revenge. God says that is His to carry out, not ours.
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