Reaping Forgiveness
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ (Matt.18.32)
The subject of Forgiveness is important to the social, physical and spiritual well being of the believer. It is the wheel on which the world rolls, providing the much needed lubrication to the human relationship. The servant in the above story was forgiven but he found it difficult to forgive others. Why is forgiveness an issue for many?
There are many reasons, one of which is that, the forgiver thinks the person forgiven has no right to receive it. Well, nobody has a right to be forgiven by God yet he forgave us. Also, it feels like letting people go, frees their conscience especially when they refuse to apologise. It is not true. They carry the guilt of having wronged you sometimes for years. Forgiveness frees them and you.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John.20.23).
You have the power to forgive people their wrongs including sins. You can also choose to hold them down but you won’t make progress either. Forgiving others liberates you from resentment, bitterness and bondage.
Must they apologize before I forgive? No! You forgive soon as they wrong you to avoid the clogging of your wheel. You will reap forgiveness to the measure of the seed you sow. If you refuse to forgive others, you are putting yourself in bondage.