Practicing Forgiveness

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 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." (Matthew 18: 21-35)

God delights in a people who are tolerant of others, who are merciful and forgiving. He also abhors those who are mean spirited and unforgiving, who show no mercy or longsuffering to others.

It is a warning of scripture that needs often to be repeated - "For he shall have judgment without mercy, (on them) that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (James 2: 13)

The debtor in the above parable had himself been forgiven, but he refused to show forgiveness to others. He was a hypocrite, unthankful and unkind. Further, his refusal to forgive others brought upon himself condemnation.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6: 12)

"...if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Verse 15)

Forgiveness is a very serious matter. An unmerciful and unforgiving person will not receive mercy from the Lord in the time of judgment.

It is impossible to show mercy and forgiveness, superlatively and regularly, without knowing personally and experimentally what it means to be forgiven. Christians ought, therefore, to be most forgiving and kind hearted.

"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, (then) forgive him." (Luke 17: 3)

To show forgiveness, as a habit, does not mean that one overlooks the offense, or condones it. It does not mean that there is no "rebuke" to the one sinning.

Some sinners have learned to take advantage of the forgiving spirit of others, continuing to sin against that forgiving person, knowing that they can "get away with it," can be forgiven without any adverse consequences. Yet, Jesus taught us to grant forgiveness after a rebuke to the one who has wronged us.

Jesus also suspended the granting of forgiveness upon the repentance of the one committing the wrong. "If he repent, then forgive him." Such a condition will keep sinners from taking advantage of the forgiving soul.

Friend, are you an unmerciful and unforgiving person? Do you hold grudges and vendettas? Are you withholding forgiveness from those who have sought it from you? How then do you expect the Lord to forgive you?

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3: 12, 13)