Are You Ready to Pardon Others So That You Might Be Pardoned?
Good Morning Friends,
When I think of my life as a book I begin to recognize that the primary demand of the Christian faith is for repentance. When Jesus preached the Good News, He said… “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We need to recognize the revolutionary significance of the primary demand these words bring for those seeking the Christian life. We need to realize that repentance is not a call to a remorseful way of thinking but an invitation to change one’s basic attitudes about God, self, things and others. It is a call to learn to love. When I am reading the Bible in relationship with the Holy Spirit and the book that is my life, I begin to see how my thoughts have changed. The notes and dates in Bibles mark the journey. Here I have discovered that sometimes I ask the wrong questions. But sometimes I ask the right questions…ones that help me to think right about God…questions that prepare the way for forgiving/loving others. Are You Ready to Pardon Others So That You Might Be Pardoned?
Scripture: Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NRSV)
21Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church* sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven* times. 23’For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents* was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;* and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister* from your heart.’
Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34 (NIV)Top of Form
39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding* him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?* Save yourself and us!’ 40But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into* your kingdom.’ 43He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Luke 23:39-43
Bottom of Form
Message: In today’s devotional and scripture we study the relationship between love and forgiveness, and begin to understand the confusion we have when we focus on our circumstances and not God’s love in our circumstances. The parable is of the unmerciful servant. It is meant for us, to help us understand that we are not in the driver’s seat but also specifically for Peter who asks the question that prompts the story. The parable is for Peter and the Peter in us who has no idea how God works… that Peter whose profession of faith is the foundation of the church…that Peter who would deny Christ three times and be asked by Christ three times… “Do you love me?” In the parable and in the bigger story of the saving act of Jesus on the cross demonstrated in the life of Peter, we begin to see the process of reconciliation that can occur in our lives and in the church when we recognize that to love abundantly is to be loved… to forgive abundantly is to be forgiven. We are confronted with the amazing love that God sent His Son to ask our Heavenly Father to forgive all our debts. This is an important lesson on why we must, from out of our love received, from out of the depths of our hearts be more than pardoning others. We are to be connected at the crossroads of His pardon…His presence…his permanence and power. Here in confession we discover God’s forgiveness…His assurance of pardon… the Word of God…the Call to service. We are to recognize the spiritual position we are in and ask for pardon…for His protection for not having followed His perfect plan. We are to ask sincerely, whole-heartedly. This is what Jesus teaches us that asking forgiveness is not a simple apology, it is to be aware of the sin, of the idolatry that we commit when we close the door to God’s forgiveness. Even at Calvary the case for Christ is presented with the grace of a King who loves abundantly. In this place of three crosses we see rebellion, repentance and redemption. We see the gift of second chances. At the very moment that Jesus was dying for that criminal’s sins on the cross He was offering all of us an unconditional pardon. Here a symbol of shame and terror and death is replaced with a symbol of God’s profound love for us. Jesus invites us home and is waiting to see if we will extend grace to others.
Pray we have the courage and commitment to trust God. Pray we realize we are loved. Pray we share the love we have received. Pray we are confident in God’s care. Pray we want to know more about God. Pray we are committed to God’s purpose. Pray we are controlled by God’s will. Pray we realize that when things do not make sense we allow God to guide us. Pray that we pardon by faith, that we set at liberty even our enemies to enjoy peace, fellowship, joy and the hope of God’s glory.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 