Good morning. Our Lord once told the parable of two servants who each owed a debt. The first of the two owed a debt that was huge, absolutely impossible for him to ever pay it. The second servant’s debt was quite small, although at that time he could not pay his debtor (who happened to be debtor # 1).
In the case of the first servant, his master was merciful, and graciously forgave him the debt he owed but could never repay. But rather than reflecting that generosity with graciousness towards his fellow man, this servant refused to forgive. The second servant owed a much smaller debt that could have been paid back with a bit of grace and patience on the part of the first debtor, but grace was denied. Matthew 18:25-30
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
The context of this parable was the disciple’s question, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Mt. 28:21
Jesus’ answer, which he followed with the parable to be certain that His point was received, was this: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Mt. 28:22
Is your heart free today from every grudge and burden that fell upon you through injuries inflicted by another person? Yes, it is an old saying, but it is true, “holding a grudge is like drinking poison hoping the other person will die.”
The Lord’s will for each of us is that we are able to live our lives to the fullest, and that is only possible when we are willing to live our lives unencumbered by injuries we refuse to forgive.
Let it go. Embrace forgiveness and embrace freedom. Make a call that you have been reluctant to make. Go out of your way to say hello to that person you have been avoiding. Share a hug where it is appropriate, a smile in every case, and express a generous and gracious spirit. Why? Not because they deserve it, but because it is God’s will for you to be free.
Vern