Forgiveness

Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35

1. This passage emphasizes the unpayable debt to God that

we owe. The Bible clearly identifies us as “helpless” as this

slave Rom 5:6 The prodigal son was helpless. Eph 2:1 calls

us dead in trespasses and sins. We owe a debt that is

unlimited. The legal term is bankrupt, spiritual bankruptcy.

In “A Forgiving God in an Unforgiving World”, Ron Lee Davis

retells the true story of a priest in the Philippines, a

much-loved man of God who carried the burden of a secret

sin he had committed many years before. He had repented

but still had no peace, no sense of God’s forgiveness.

In his parish was a woman who deeply loved God and who

claimed to have visions in which she spoke with Christ and he

with her. The priest, however, was skeptical. To test her he

said, “The next time you speak with Christ, I want you to ask

him what sin your priest committed while he was in

seminary.” The woman agreed. A few days later the priest

asked, “Well, did Christ visit you in your dreams?”

“Yes, he did”. she replied

“And did you ask him what sin I committed in seminary?”

“Yes.”

“Well, what did he say?”

“He said, I don’t remember”

What God forgives, He forgets.

2. It also tells us that forgiveness is an act of grace. It

doesn’t say that the debt or sin was no big deal. He removes

our transgressions because of His own lovingkindness Ps

103:11-12 Eph 1:7 The forgiveness of trespasses is

according to the riches of His grace.

When we refuse to forgive we allow a bitterness to come in

and take root and it will effect every relationship we have.

Mark Mosley was interviewed recently about the murder of

his sister 22 years ago. A man who is mentally retarded

murdered her and this last week the Supreme Court said

that at his trial the jury was not allowed to consider his

mental retardation in deliberating his sentence. Mr.Mosely

said in the interview that it was today just as if he had just

learned about his sister’s death and that time didn’t take the

pain away. He opened wondered what could take that pain

away. Forgiveness takes the pain away when revenge and

time can’t. Time does not heal all wounds.

“True forgivers do not pretend they don’t suffer. They do not

pretend the wrong does not matter much. The 1st stage of

healing is release. You will know that forgiveness has begun

when you recall those who hurt you and you can wish them

well.” Lewis Smedes

3. His forgiveness is an example to follow: a lack of

forgiveness shows that we are ignorant of God’s forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15

In the parable of the two debtors, Jesus indicates that the

woman who anointed Jesus feet with alabaster perfume

knew more about forgiveness than the Pharisee. God’s

forgiveness had an outpouring effect on her. She responded

in love to Jesus because of that forgiveness Lk 7:47

“Forgiveness happens as past resentments are owned, not

disowned; are recognized, not repressed; are released, not

retained; and are woven into new bonding relationships with

others.” by David Augsburger.