This is a subject we should all be familiar with. As Christians we are commanded to forgive each other directly from Jesus’ words to His disciples in Matthew 18. Jesus’ conversation with Peter and the analogy he tells about the Kingdom of God shows the seriousness of unforgiveness in a believer’s life.
Matthew 18:21-35(NASB)(emphasis mine)
21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23″For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24″When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
25″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.
26″So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’
27″And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28″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.’
29″So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’
30″But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
31″So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.
32″Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33″Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?”
34″And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35″My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
For most believers it seems like a given that we need to forgive each other, but I am surprised to find that many in the church still hold a grudge against someone that wronged them. Some blatantly say they can’t forgive the person and some are in the category of denial of holding bitterness towards someone, but it becomes apparent in the way they treat the person.
I can’t tell you how many times people come for healing or deliverance ministry, and they are afflicted by some ailment or even spiritual affliction. They come for prayer countless times and it seems like it only gets worse. After some experience in doing this kind of ministry, I know to ask the person about unforgiveness. “Is there anyone you need to forgive?” Initially many people are resistant to this question because they don’t want forgive. There are many horrible stories of things that people do to each other, that I won’t get into. And for many it can be difficult to forgive. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a sickness or spiritual affliction leave a person as soon as they choose to forgive.
Let’s look at what Jesus says about those who do not forgive in verse 32-35:
32″Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33″Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?”
34″And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
Jesus does not exclude any situation from this very broad statement. If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven of the debt you owe because of sin. Your eternal salvation is at stake! Even the littleless thing counts.
I remember driving some years ago and someone cuts me off and almost hits me. I remember I was fuming with anger towards the person and was ready to chase the person down in my car. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me “it has been one second too many that you have chosen not to forgive this person.” I slowed down and repented of my sin and realized how easy it can be sometimes to hold onto unforgiveness. I then remembered all of the previous instances where I got mad at other drivers and how my attitude towards others on the road escalated to being rude and expecting people to be “stupid.” I was holding on to unforgiveness. I repented for holding on to this, and chose to forgive every person on the road that I felt wronged by. I remember in that moment this overwhelming joy and peace hitting me, and this uncanny patience and kindness that I immediately had towards other drivers.
I realized that I had allowed pride to keep me from forgiving people and repented for my pride. It seems so innocent sometimes when we hold on to a little grudge against someone, but Jesus takes it very seriously. Have you forgiven everyone who has wronged you? Ask God to show you if you are still hold a grudge or bitterness towards someone. For some of you it may be someone far in your past that you never chose to forgive. Whatever your situation knowing for sure if you have forgiven everyone may be one of the most important questions you can ask yourself right now.
Blessings,
Machew