Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Why Should I Forgive, Part 32 of 34
GUEST: Tim Jackson
TEXT: "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?'" (Matthew 18:32-33).
IDEA: It is a moral outrage for those who have been forgiven by God to refuse to forgive others.
PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate that forgiveness isn't merely a matter or manners, but it is a matter of morals.
Have you known church people who refused to forgive others who were professing Christians?
Do you think that men and women who nurse an unforgiving spirit think of that as a sin? Is it a "serious" sin?
Jesus told a story to Peter and the other disciples about forgiveness and forgiving. It answers Peter's question: "How often are we required to forgive?" as well as the implied question, "How is it possible to be a forgiving person?"
What I want you to listen for is the king's rebuke of the servant who refused to forgive.
This isn't a pleasant bedtime story. Notice the words that the king speaks to the unforgiving servant (verses 32-33). They tell us a great deal about forgiveness—God's forgiveness and our own.
I. "I forgave you all that debt because you begged me."
What are the implications of that statement? What is the theology behind it? God is not the enemy of His enemies.
"All that debt": What God does for us when He forgives us is beyond our imagination.
Perhaps beyond our appreciation. "Of course, God forgives sin. That's His business."
Forgiveness is from God. He bears the cost. All we have is debt. Forgiveness is ours for the asking.
II. "Shouldn't you have had compassion on your fellow servant just as I have had pity on you?"
"Shouldn't you" means literally "Wasn't it necessary?" There is nothing optional about forgiveness. It is the logic of Calvary.
The proper response to God's forgiveness isn't merely gratitude or praise, but forgiveness of those who have sinned against us. (Matthew 5:23-24). Forgiveness and reconciliation are more important than worship.
Grace received becomes grace displayed.
III. "You wicked servant!" An unwillingness to forgive isn't merely bad manners; it is WICKED.
That is a strong accusation made about men and women who are enemies of God.
Whenever we consider "forgiveness," some face or name flashes across our minds—a husband, a wife, a parent, a former friend, a member of your church, an associate at work, someone who has sued you or hurt you.
Is there someone you need to bring to the cross and confess the "wickedness" of an unforgiving spirit?
Is there someone for whom you need to seek the power of God to forgive?
God who has forgiven you wants to make you a forgiving person.
That's the mark of being one of His servants.
