Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today we’re going to take a look at a passage of scripture but before we do that I wanted to tell you a little story.
How merciful are you with others? Sometimes when we are growing up as children, we can make a lot of mistakes along the way, A child might not be in complete control of their emotions, and will say things without really thinking about how it will affect others. They might have an episode of anger, and will reach out to hurt one of their siblings. They might even take one of their brother’s favorite toys, and then sell it to a neighbor down the street.
This reminds me of the Christian Life
When people sin against us it doesn’t feel very good, but when people are filled with contrition, and humbly repent of their sins toward you, we need to be very merciful with them in the same manner that God has been with us. Sometimes people can wrong us many times over, but we must be ready to forgive them upon each of their sincere confessions. Sometimes we will fall down many times when we first learn how to ride a bike, and sometimes people will fall down and sin against others in the church. But when we are merciful towards the penitent, it gives them another opportunity to get back up, and try it again.
Matthew 18:21-35 (KJB) 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.
When you receive the mercies of God, He expects you to be forgiving with others when they repent and confess their faults to you. Obviously to find forgiveness with anyone, you must first confess your faults. Admitting your faults to a brother that you have wronged is required by God, but because of pride, some people will refuse to do that. Sometimes people cannot obtain forgiveness with God or with others simply because they are too hard hearted to apologize and reconcile with them.
James 5:16 (KJB) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed….
1 John 1:9 (KJB) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When you know in your heart that you have sinned against your brother, you can’t even offer a gift at a church until you are first reconciled with them. Repentance is far more important to God than sacrifice.
Matthew 5:23-24 (KJB) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
When people are humble enough to approach you and admit their faults, you need to show them mercy, because this is the same way that the Lord has treated you. When you forgive somebody from the heart, you will cease to have any remembrance of the sins that were committed against you, which is the same way that God is towards us.
Hebrews 10:17 (KJB) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 8:12 (KJB) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Sincere forgiveness from your heart will cease to feel any more resentment or bitterness for the sin that was committed. This is because they are completely forgotten and cast into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19 (KJB) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Once again, upon a humble confession, we must be merciful and forgive others from the heart, bearing their sin burden, just as Christ Jesus has done for us.
Galatians 6:1-2 (KJB) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
James 2:13 (KJB) For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Remember that when the prodigal son returned home and humbly admitted his faults, his Dad completely forgave him of everything that he had done. The offenses that he had committed were laid to rest and completely forgotten. Just like this merciful dad, we need to be that forgiving with others when they confess their faults from a contrite and penitent heart. When they humble themselves, and finally admit the truth, they can be lifted back up to their feet, so they can,…..
……Try it Again
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.
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