by David Brenneman
"Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10.
What do people see when they see you? Who do people see when they consider your life?
Do they see the character of Christ or do they see something darker?
It's either going to be the light of Jesus Christ or its not.
We certainly aren't a people who follow this: "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:19-27.
We sure can forget who it is we represent can't we? We sure can miss opportunities to show the light of Jesus Christ can't we?
I too miss opportunities. I too neglect to remember in the heat of the moment.
This grace we have been given is for us to bestow upon others.
We, like the one Jesus spoke of in our opening passage, have been forgiven much and should by all means remember this and forgive in the same manner, the same way.
We are not to keep the grace and mercy of God in our hands. We're to give it to those whom the Lord causes to cross our paths.
A year now and it doesn't escape me that the temptation was there and at times is there to retract the forgiveness that I knew that I had to bestow on those who did me wrong. Weekly I still pray for salvation for these people. A reputable source reassured me that I did nothing to contribute to what transpired. Additionally, I believe the Spirit when He too said it wasn't of me, that that situation a year ago was from God. The more important outcome of that particular situation is the continued prayer for the salvation of those involved.
You may face deeper situations or not so deep. But in everything we face these are just situations in the eyes of Jesus Christ.
You can either bestow grace and thereby glorify God in your situation or you can withhold it and deal with the consequences of a heart that isn't aligned with the character of Christ.
My personal example is but one. We face situations every single day of every type of thing. If we're walking with Jesus we should be acting in the character of Christ.
There shouldn't be grumbling or complaining. Shouldn't be outbursts of anger. Shouldn't be us shaking an visible or invisible fist at people we encounter. We should have the mind of Christ. Should be setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. This extensive passage we opened with ties in directly with what Jesus used in His model prayer to teach the Disciples how to pray. If we do not forgive we won't be forgiven.
Add this to your thoughts today: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12.
You have the choice to let Jesus shine through you or to hide His light from others by withholding the grace, the unmerited favor, Jesus gave you.
You.
Jesus forgave you of all your sins so you ought to wholly forgive others who sin against you.
Give away the grace that was given to you...the Scriptures easily state that there's a lot more where that came from.
Forgive as you've been forgiven.
Give away as freely as you have received.
Walk in the character of Christ.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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