Kingdom 103: Forgiveness, Always a Priority
In the Kingdom of God, forgiving is not only a priority, but a necessity. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We are to forgive those who commit infractions against us. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. It is the Kingdom culture to forgive others without them even admitting they are wrong or asking us for it. I must say, I have found that very difficult at times in my life. But, since I have embraced the Kingdom and humbled myself to the leading of the Holy Spirit, it has been both a challenge and a blessing for me. I can see improvements in my life. Forgiving becomes easier the more you do it! My thinking pattern has improved concerning my Lord and King. Believe me when I say this, forgiveness should be the priority. It should be as normal as breathing. Jesus forgave mankind. Who are we to withhold forgiveness from anyone? Take a moment to read what the Lord had to say about it when replying to Peter's question:
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
“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!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 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. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. Now the Lord Jesus finished it off by saying this: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Keep in mind, we are here on earth to please the Lord God through His Son, Jesus the Christ. By the way, since I have embraced the Kingdom and teaching it to others, I have been attacked on all fronts, but I stay focused on His Word. You must realize that you only have one allegiance and that is to the Lord Jesus. When you put your whole trust in His Word, the sting of fear and rejection will cease to exist.
Remember, forgiveness is the Kingdom culture. Give up your need to be right and you will find forgiveness become part of your normal behavior.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:14,15 Matthew 18:21-35 Ephesians 4:31-32
~~W.R. Luchie
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
“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!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 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. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. Now the Lord Jesus finished it off by saying this: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Keep in mind, we are here on earth to please the Lord God through His Son, Jesus the Christ. By the way, since I have embraced the Kingdom and teaching it to others, I have been attacked on all fronts, but I stay focused on His Word. You must realize that you only have one allegiance and that is to the Lord Jesus. When you put your whole trust in His Word, the sting of fear and rejection will cease to exist.
Remember, forgiveness is the Kingdom culture. Give up your need to be right and you will find forgiveness become part of your normal behavior.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:14,15 Matthew 18:21-35 Ephesians 4:31-32
~~W.R. Luchie
