DCLM Sincere Milk 24 May 2022 — The Parable of the unforgiving servant
DCLM Sincere Milk 24 May 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Parable of the unforgiving servant
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TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT
TEXT: MATTHEW 18:21-30
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 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.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 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.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Key Verse: “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt” (Matthew 18:27).
MESSAGE:
Forgiveness is an act of pardoning an offender. In the Greek word it means “to let go”. We forgive others when we let go of the anger, revenge or punishment intended on the offender.
When we give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered, it is an act of forgiveness. In our day-to-day activities, we are bound to offend others and people will also offend us.
Our Lord teaches through this parable that we should forgive as much as offences come. Whoever the offender is: mom, dad, teacher, sister, brother or friend, you must forgive. In forgiving others, you must act quickly; don’t delay, be compassionate, you may also need forgiveness from another person someday.
Always consider the benefits of forgiveness: good health, a conscience free of offence towards God and man, forgiveness from God and men, a heart ready for God’s kingdom.
Don’t be like the unforgiving servant in our text who was forgiven so much but he could not forgive so little. Unselfish love is the basis of true forgiveness. So, show true love and forgive as many times as you are offended. God will give you grace to do as Christ commands.
Prayer: Dear Father, You forgave me such a great debt. Give me grace to forgive all those who offend me.
Further Reading: Genesis 50:14-21
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
