>>>
Matthew 18:23-35 - The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant.

Matthew 18:23-35 - The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant.

Matthew 18:23-35 (NKJV) 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is 
like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him 
who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, 
his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and 
all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore 
fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I 
will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with 
compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went 
out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred 
denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 
'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet 
and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you 
all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he 
should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been 
done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that 
had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to 
him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you 
begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow 
servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and 
delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to 
him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, 
from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."  

  The parable is not about salvation but about forgiveness among 
God's people. We are to forgive others because God has forgiven us 
(Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13), and He has forgiven us at great cost to 
Himself! It is possible to receive forgiveness but not truly experience 
forgiveness in our hearts; therefore, we have a hard time sharing 
forgiveness with others. 
  When you have an unforgiving spirit, you put yourself in 
prison spiritually and emotionally; you pay dearly for the luxury of 
carrying a grudge. Is it worth it? [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary 
by Warren Wiersbe] 

  Mercy is a gift. It is undeserved. Punishment and consequences 
are sin's just reward, but the merciful person does not demand 
justice for the guilty person. If it were not for God's mercy, we all 
would have faced His terrible judgment long ago. If not for His mercy, 
He would have condemned us after our first offense. If not for His 
mercy, He would punish us each time we sin. But rather than letting us 
bear the full punishment for our sin, God demonstrated His mercy when 
He paid the penalty for our sin Himself.  
  Do you find it hard to show mercy? It may be that you do not 
comprehend the mercy that God has shown to you. Jesus commanded His 
disciples to extend the same mercy to others that they had received from 
God. When they considered the incredible, undeserved mercy they had 
been granted, how could they refuse to extend the same unconditional 
mercy to others?  
  Could anyone sin against us to the same degree that we have 
sinned against God? Could any offense committed against us be as 
undeserved as the abuse hurled against the sinless Son of God? How quickly 
we forget the mercy that God graciously bestowed on us, only to 
focus on the injustices we endure from others!  
  If you find it difficult to forgive others, you may need to 
meditate on the mercy of God that prevents you from experiencing God's 
justifiable wrath. Scripture describes God as "Ready to pardon, / Gracious 
and merciful, / Slow to anger, / Abundant in lovingkindness" (Ne 
9:17b). [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re 
Mat. 18:33] 

We can give only what we have. If we are unable to forgive, then 
it is a sure sign that we have not claimed God's forgiveness for 
ourselves.  SS Lesson for 10/8/2010 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php

A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/

Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/

More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com