I come from a long line of grudge holders.
Maybe it was because of my family’s background? We jokingly say that we have a right to be stubborn because after all, our roots originate as Missouri mule. While we joke about this, I certainly don’t say this to brag or only in fun… I mention this because learning to forgive (and forgive rather quickly) has been a bit of a challenge in my Christian walk.
I am getting better at it. But still have a long ways to go. (Stinkin’ stubborn heart! Gah.)
Fortunately for my foot-dragging forgiveness struggles, I have a great example to learn from: God. Which brings us to another truth in our series of “21 Truths about God:”
God is Forgiving.
And praise the heavens above that He is! Because if He a heart like us Missouri mules, we would be in a whole heap of trouble. Eternally. #CanYouSayYikes?
Forgiveness is a theme that is woven throughout the Bible. We see it in some of the laws of the Old Testament, and see it in several profound places in the New Testament. Probably on of my favorite stories about forgiveness is when Jesus tells the parable about the unmerciful servant.
Here’s the abridged and modernized version of the parable in my own words. (If you want to read it in context within the Bible, check out Matthew 18:21-35.)
Ok. So there’s this king what wants to settle up his accounts with his servants. One of his servants owes him quite a huge chunk of cash, let’s say $10,000. Like many of us today, the servant couldn’t cut the king a check to pay him back and it was going to be quite a hot minute (or several hot minutes) before he would ever be able pay him back.
The king wants so sell the servant and his family as slaves as repayment for the debt. But the servant begs for mercy and the king, with his merciful, forgiving, non-Missouri-Mule heart cancels the debt completely and let’s the guy go.
And the crowd goes wild, right? Well, not yet. This servant then proceeds to go out and seek to collect on his debts. One of his peeps owes him like $25. Unfortunately, the man can’t pay up right away (and it was quite a walk to the nearest ancient ATM.) The first servant, instead of being merciful like the king was, lays the smack down on his fellow servant, refusing to forgive the debt. Instead, he throws him in jail.
Word gets back to the king about the servant’s unmerciful behavior… And you can probably guess what happens next. Yep, the first servant gets in a ton of trouble (see also: jail time and torture) until he can pay back what he owes.
Moral of the story: Forgive. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Just as our Father forgives.
Pretty great story, huh? I dig it… And I am encouraged by it. But there is even another instance in the Bible that brings to light this subject of forgiveness.
Like when Jesus died on the cross so God would forgive us of our sins.
If that isn’t some incredible motivation to forgive your brother or sister who has wronged you, I don’t know what is.
God is so incredibly forgiving– over and over and over again. This truth keeps me running after Him, especially on days when I really jack things up and fail miserably. God’s forgiveness coated in endless grace covers us.
Praise. The. Lord.
Are there people in your life that you need to forgive or that you need to ask for forgiveness from? How can God’s continuing examples and truth that He is forgiving motivate you to take action? I always LOVE to hear from you… Feel free to leave a comment below.
I could write an entire blog series on the topic of forgiveness alone. But for today, all I want to tell you is keep going. For even when we fall short or make a wrong turn, be it clinging to an unforgiving heart or being disobedient, when we come to God with a repentant heart… He always forgives.
Always.
Forever Forgiven,
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” ~Micah 7:18 NIV
