Forgive him Week 46, 2011

“You do not know what he has done. Look at how he abandoned me to pursue his own business.” But he is your husband; the money from that business goes to meet your needs. “What needs? What greater need than the presence of my husband when the pregnancy he caused is being threatened. I am bleeding and he runs off, saying he has some commitments.” But you are in good hands... “Which good hands? Don’t defend the indefensible.” Please forgive him; you have offended God far more than he has you. “Why are you always defending him? Look if I let go and leave him he will do worse. When I deal with him now thoroughly he will think twice before trying something funny next time. Only put your hand on him, and see what a fight you will have; you will not do it again! Job 41:8(BBE)” I am not here to defend him but to crown you. “What are you talking about?” Do you remember the story Jesus told on forgiveness? The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants' accounts. He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. Mt 18:23-24 (GNB). “This is talking about money…” It’s talking about forgiveness. “So how does that crown me?” Notice it is a king who forgives the offence. The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go Mat 18:27. When you fail to forgive, you are a servant: the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he said Mt 18:28 (GNB), and remain a servant at the same level with him who offended you. The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount Mt 18:34(GNB). Make yourself a king over him by forgiving him. Refusing to forgive not only robs one of the grace and mercy he is already enjoying; it is a missed opportunity to be a king over the offender. "That's a funny way to interpret a parable." Ah! Have you forgotten Be merciful just as your Father is merciful Lk 6:36(GNB). It makes you like God; it makes you godly to forgive. “But it makes me weak not strong to let go all the time, it sounds a bit foolish.” Remember what seems foolish in God is wiser than men; and what seems feeble in God is stronger than men 1Co 1:25(BBE). I would like to be a king from heaven’s perspective won’t you?