Forgivness Of All Cost

Matthew 18:21–35 (ESV)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

Within Judaism, three times was sufficient to show a forgiving spirit (based on Job 33:29, 30; Amos 1:3; 2:6), thus Peter (seven) believes he has shown generosity.

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

But true disciples of Jesus are to forgive without keeping count (seventy times seven). This may echo and reverse Lamech’s boast of vengeance in Gen. 4:24 (the Gk. is the same).

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

in today’s terms, about $6 billion.

26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

first, that the gift of salvation is immeasurably great (“how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” Heb. 2:3); and,

second, that unless a person is comparably merciful to others, (a) God’s mercy has not had a saving effect upon him (Matt. 18:32–33), and (b) he will be liable to pay the consequences himself (vv. 34–35).

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’

about $12,000 in today’s terms

29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.

31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.

Other people see your love and forgiveness, or the lack there of

32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’

34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

A transformed heart must result in a changed life that offers the same mercy and forgiveness as has been received from God

This parable established in the strongest terms the importance of forgiveness. The parable made the same point as the metaphor of a bad tree bearing bad fruit (cp. 7:15–18): Those who have received God’s forgiveness will forgive.

Grace Points:

Gods Forgiveness Is Total Forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We Can Not Expect Mercy From God If We Are Unwilling to Give It To Others.

Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV)14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:37–38 (ESV)37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

We Are To Forgive Just As He Forgave Us

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Mark 11:25 (ESV)25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”