Whilst reading in the bible recently I came across a scripture where Jesus was giving a teaching on Forgiveness. It never ceases to amaze me how we have read scriptures many times, but yet by the power of His Spirit, the Lord reveals more to us. It’s often the ‘more’ that really cuts deep into our souls and makes a lasting impression – as much as we don’t want to hear it.
In Matt.18:23-35, Jesus spoke the parable of the unforgiving servant. As I got to verse 32, I saw that the King called his servant “a wicked slave”. How interesting that the King called the slave wicked because he did not forgive. Of course the parable is speaking of the cancelling of a financial debt, but I began to wonder about those in my life that I not only owed money to, but perhaps bear some kind of unforgiveness towards? How would I feel if God called me ‘wicked’ because I do not forgive them?
In verse 34, the King handed his slave over to the torturers until he repaid all his debt. The slave was continually tortured until he paid his debt in full. Can we even imagine such a situation? The scripture continues to say that God will hand us over to the torturers if we do not forgive others! (Matt.18:35). This is really a hard word.
Torturers cause anxiety and torment people.
As I began to look around the country we live in, I started to notice how many people were anxious and living in some type of fear – not being able to rest in the peace the Lord desires for them. If we do not forgive others, when we find ourselves in their company or even think about them, it’s like we are being tormented – being filled variously with thoughts of anger, fear and bitterness. Have we noticed this happening in our lives? Are there those close to us whom each time we are in their company or even think about them; we feel uncomfortable? Is there perhaps a possibility of unforgiveness in the relationship?
I see the principle Jesus spoke of in Matt.18:23-35 wide spread and relevant in our country today. There are people of all races who are angry with, and hold unforgiveness towards each other. There are people who are angry at, and hold unforgiveness to the current government. As we have just seen, God said unless we can forgive those around us, He will hand us over to the tormentors. Can this be what we witness in our country today? Have those with bitterness in their hearts towards one another been handed over to the torment of anxiety and fear?
Jesus spoke much of forgiving and loving others as we love ourselves. It really is a principle of the Kingdom of God. Forgive, and we will be blessed – hold onto bitterness, and we will be tormented – until we forgive. Remember this: We only harm ourselves when we hold on to unforgiveness, no one else.
The interesting thing about forgiveness is the it’s a decision we need to make – not a feeling that we feel. We purposely make a decision to forgive – not weigh up our emotions and then decide – just make the decision. God wants us to forgive, so let’s do it!
“I can forgive but I can’t forget…” we might say. Well, we can’t forget because the thought of the person or situation keeps reoccurring in our minds. Why? Because the accuser of the brethren (the devil), keeps popping the thought into our minds. If we accept the thought and dwell on it, it gets larger and larger and we are tormented more and more.
Stop the thought as soon as we become aware of it by submitting to God (James 4:7). A quick and good prayer in the heat of the moment is, “Lord fill my mind with thoughts of you…”. God will honour the request and we will begin to feel His peace.
I don’t want to make light of being able to forgive others – it’s a very complex and personal subject. What I do know is that the Lord CAN help us walk through these very difficult situations. It is His will that we, and the whole country, walk in the freedom of His peace. So seek Him now for guidance in your situation and for that of our country.
Forgiving others has power to set us free. What a glorious feeling – to be unburdened!
It’s been a blessing sharing this topic with you. Until next time – keep walking in the peace the Master has already poured out on you.