The title could just as well have been “Colossians 3:13 – Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
I don’t care how “Christian” you are or think you are, if there is an unforgiving heart in you towards other Christians, then you really don’t know Jesus and will hinder the Holy Spirit from transforming you on the inside.
Forgiveness is key to living the abundant life.
We are forgiven by God because we believe Jesus died for us and we are now called to forgive others because Jesus lives in us!
Jesus makes the importance of forgiveness very clear.
Let’s go to Matthew 18:21-35 and read what the Scriptures say.
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NASB
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.”
KJV
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.
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Each one of us, should identify ourselves as the servant who was forgiven the huge debt of 10000 talents. If you don’t think you are that servant, then you don’t understand how wretched a sinner you are, how offensive you are to God and how much you need Christ to cleanse you! I pity you if you think you are better than others, that this lesson doesn’t apply to you.
It does. It applies to everyone everywhere.
If we have been forgiven such a huge debt, should we not be just as forgiving of those who owe us or who we think owes us?
If we don’t forgive others, we have no part in Christ.
If you can’t forgive another Christian, you are not a Christian.
I don’t care how much you do for Christ or in His name, the fact is that you don’t know Jesus if you’re an unforgiving person.
I know a few individuals like this, “Christians” who smile at me when they see me at Church or out and about, but in their hearts, harbour malice towards me. I feel sad for them but in the end, unless they submit themselves to Christ, they will continue in their present ways, to their own spiritual demise.
If this is the kind of person you are, I’m warning you.
Get over yourself.
Humble yourself.
Let the Holy Spirit work in you and teach you what forgiveness is, how much Jesus forgave you and how you should forgive others in the same manner.
If not, on that last day, don’t be surprised if Jesus tells you He doesn’t know you and turns you away from His presence.
I pray you’ll reflect on these words and reconsider your ways.
God bless you.
Thank Sri 🙂