One thing we do know the day after the election is that this has been a difficult time for many.
Accusations have been made. Suggestions, almost threats offered, for who you better vote for. Otherwise, you are not caring or loving. No, instead you are being selfish.
There are a lot of hurt people right now because of this election.
Over the next several weeks, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the following: Is there anyone you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there anyone that you need to forgive?
The story of the unforgiving servant seems perfect. For one reason, it is a story of a man who only sees the world the way he wants to see the world.
First, he sees himself as someone in great need.
23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, they brought to him a servant who owed him ten thousand bags of gold. 25 Because the servant didn’t have enough to pay it back, the master ordered that he should be sold, along with his wife and children and everything he had, and that the proceeds should be used as payment. 26 But the servant fell down, kneeled before him, and said, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ (Matthew 18, CEB)
He owes the king more than he could ever pay. He begs for forgiveness, and he receives it.
27 The master had compassion on that servant, released him, and forgave the loan. (Matthew 18, CEB)
You would think that this man would now see himself as someone who is blessed. He’s just been forgiven of a debt that he could never pay. However, he chooses not to see himself in this way. Instead, he sees himself as someone who deserves more!
28 “When that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred coins. He grabbed him around the throat and said, ‘Pay me back what you owe me.’
29 “Then his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he threw him into prison until he paid back his debt. (Matthew 18, CEB)
We wonder how in the world this could happen. How is this servant not able to share the same forgiveness and grace he had received?
This is the very point Jesus was making. When we understand the forgiveness we have received for our sin, a debt we cannot pay back to Jesus, the only response that makes sense is to forgive the people in our lives too.
Blessings,
Pastor Matt
PS - This past May we published our second devotional called God, Help Me Focus. We invite you to download a free Kindle copy here and share the link with family and friends! The free download is available through Sunday, November 8th. If you are reading this after the promotional period, we encourage you to still visit the site to order your copy today!
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