The Problem of Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

GOLDEN TEXT: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”—Matthew 6:12

APPROPRIATELY it has been said that “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” This is true on the human side for the reason that man is now a fallen creature, and governed largely by the unholy principle of selfishness. Man was originally created in the “image of God,” and had he maintained that standing of perfection and Godlikeness he would not now be handicapped with the predisposition to err. Moreover, where mistakes had been made, the perfect man, being in the image of God, would find it natural to manifest a spirit of forgiveness.

But man has fallen, and in varying degrees the image of God has been effaced, so that today it is not only natural for human beings to err; but it is most difficult for them to forgive each other their trespasses. It would seem that the more one needs forgiveness, the more difficult it is to extend mercy and forgiveness to others. Today’s lesson, therefore, is a most important one, especially for Christians who are endeavoring to be Godlike in their attitude toward each other and toward the whole world of mankind.

The lesson is intended primarily for the instruction of those who, in following in the footsteps of Jesus, are promised joint-heirship with Him in the Messianic Kingdom which is to reestablish the divine will in the earth. God has promised that in the “times of restitution” He will restore the willing and obedient of mankind to his long-lost estate which was forfeited through sin. In order that this be accomplished it was necessary that the divine quality of forgiveness be exercised by God toward the fallen race.

In this respect the Creator would be somewhat in the position of the king in our lesson, whose servant owed him “ten thousand talents”—estimated to be equal to about $9,000,000. This was a tremendous sum, and apparently there was no hope that the servant would ever be able to pay. In principle the same is true with respect to fallen man. His debt, the “wages of sin,” was so great that there was no hope that he could ever pay it except by remaining dead forever.

But God, in his love, and mercy, found a way. He did not arbitrarily set aside the penalty of death, but provided the payment Himself by sending His own Son to be the Redeemer. In this way it became possible for the Heavenly Father to be just, and at the same time the justifier of all who come unto Him through Christ Jesus. It is thus that each member of the church comes into harmony with God and receives a standing of justification before Him.

How important it is, then, that the Christian at all times keep in mind how much has been forgiven him. Not only has he been released from the original penalty for sin; but even after entering the narrow way his inherited weaknesses continually cause him to err, and each mistake he makes is a further occasion for the Heavenly Father to exercise forgiveness toward him. It is a “debt” that continues to pyramid as the years go by, making him increasingly dependent upon divine mercy. And only he who, in harmony with the conditions laid down in the Word, continues to come boldly to the throne of grace, knows how abundantly and freely divine forgiveness is vouchsafed toward him.

The “seventy times seven” measurement of forgiveness suggested to Peter in answer to his question as to how many times one should forgive the same person, describes an exercise of mercy that is well-nigh unlimited—indeed, is unlimited in principle. And is not this the very sort of forgiveness we depend upon in God’s dealings with us? If there were any limit to the number of times we could go to the throne of grace to ask forgiveness, it would be a sorry situation for most of us.

But there is another side to the lesson, namely, that in being so richly blessed through divine forgiveness of us, we are expected to manifest the same disposition toward others. This is a very practical part of our training for the great future work of the Kingdom; because the world of mankind will need mercy extended to them as well as we need to have mercy extended toward us. Hence, in the economy of God, He is now preparing His Kingdom workers by putting them through the school of practical experience.

The servant in the parable, who was forgiven a debt of $9,000,000, is represented as refusing mercy to a fellow-servant who owed him the small sum of a “hundred pence”—about $16. This well represents the pettiness of the Christian who, having been forgiven so much by the Lord, is nevertheless determined to exact his full “pound of flesh” from a fellow-Christian who may have trespassed against him.

It is fortunate that the parable presents this striking contrast in the size of debts to be forgiven; for it illustrates that while God does much for us, He gives us the opportunity to display our desire to be like Him in small things that are within our reach. And then, too, there might be a measure of heroism attached to a display of forgiveness in great matters, but day by day to forgive the little imperfections of others, when perhaps only the Lord knows what is taking place in our hearts, might call for, a greater degree of true loyalty to Him.

Our Golden Text puts the matter before us in a vital manner. In our secret prayers to God we are most likely to be sincere, so if we ask Him to forgive us in the same manner in which we forgive others, it should go a long way toward putting us in the right attitude of heart toward all. What God forgives us are real trespasses, not fancied ones, and it is this variety that we are to forgive in others.

QUESTIONS:

Why is it now true to say, that “to err is human”?

What bearing does the divine quality of forgiveness have on the ultimate recovery of the fallen race from death?

Does God forgive sin unconditionally?

Explain the manner in which a Christian is Godlike when extending forgiveness to those who trespass against him.

Would a Christian be properly qualified for future Kingdom work if be had not developed the quality of mercy?

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