Asking Forgiveness

Matt. 18:21,22

 

The entire chapter is talking about forgiveness, so read the entire chapter for the complete story.

 

Matt. 6:5-15 - Forgive debts (Learning to pray).

Luke 11:1-4 - Forgive indebtedness (Necessity of asking for what we need).

Mark 11:24-26 - Power in prayer (Lesson of the barren fig tree).

Forgiveness doesn't mean the other person won't have to pay the consequences of their actions.  Forgiveness is not for the person who offended you.  Forgiveness is for you.  “I forgive you” means I no longer hold this grudge against you, instead I turn our case over to the righteous judge, Jesus Christ, who knows all the secrets of all the hearts.  He will judge righteously both you and me.

Example:

You still must reap what you sow.

The criminal must still pay for their crime.

What if they don't ask?  I must still be in a "heart attitude" to forgive them anyway.

What if they don't mean it?  I must still forgive them just like they did mean it.  I cannot control them or their intentions.  I have enough trouble controlling myself.

There is a difference between forgiving and trusting.

I can forgive immediately.

They must earn my trust by continually doing those things necessary to earn it.

Jesus makes it clear that there are those that we cannot trust.

Matt. 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Luke 20:46  Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Mk  

 

Kingdom of Heaven Likened Unto a king Forgiving his Servant

Matt. 18:23-35

 

It does not mean that a man can be lost after he is saved.

See John 6:35, Romans 8:38,39,35  Heb. 6:4-6.

 

King - God (Jesus)

Servant - of Christ, these are saved people.

Elijah - I Kings 18:36.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - Daniel 3:26.

Daniel in the Lion's Den - Daniel 6:20.

Paul serves - Romans 1:9.

James, a servant - James 1:1

We should live as servants of Christ - I Peter 2:16.

 

Debt 10,000 talents = $262,800,000.00.  1 talent = $26,280.00.  Immeasurable - Romans 12:1

 

Penny = $.15

365 days per year.

100 pence

100 pence = $15.00

x  70 # of years.

.15 earning per day

 

25,550 total days.

could pay off in under 2 years

 

x  $ .15

 

 

$3,832.50

 

 

 

 

 

$ 26,280    $ 3,832.50  =  6.857 lifetimes

 

 

When - in this life.

Reason - There was still a chance to try to pay the debt (verse 26).

 

Man won't forgive another human being (verse 21 & 22)

Verse 26 and 27 the same.

 

The Lord does not "back up" on His forgiveness.

See II Samuel 12:15-23.

 

Delivered to the tormentors.

A man reaps what he sows - Gal 6:7.

A man loses his reward - let no man take thy crown - Rev. 3:11.