Forgive

The point; Forgiveness restores and strengthens relationships.

Matt.18:21-28 & 32-35

Jesus had been teaching the disciples on how to deal with believers who sin against other believers.
In the light of this instruction Peter asked the Lord how many times one should forgive a fellow believer! Jesus told him not seven times but seventy times seven! Jesus expects believers to be forgiving at all times. We should be as quick to forgive as we are quick to anger. With this discussion Jesus told them a parable.
A servant owed the rich king much. When the king decided to sell everything the servant owned, including his wife and children, the servant fell down and worshiped the king and told him he would pay all he owed! When the king saw the servant was serious about paying all he owed the king had compassion for-the servant and forgave him his debts!
Later on the servant found a man who owed him little. He took the man by the throat and told him he must pay him all he owed. He was not forgiving the man who owed him little.  The king heard of the servants actions and was wroth that he had no compassion on one who owed little. He had been forgiven much and yet had no forgiveness in his soul for the other man! This made the king to take back his forgiven debt and required the servant to pay all he owed.
Jesus forgave us all with His life. He gave all that we might have salvation.  Jesus wants us to be ready to have a forgiving spirit!
We need to evaluate our lives and see if there is any areas in our life that needs to be cleared up by forgiving! Holding hard feelings in our hearts causes discord with our fellowship with the Lord .
We need to have a clear path to fellowship with the Lord. Jesus was always able to forgive much. We need to follow His example!

Judy Davis