The Unforgiving Servant Mt. 18:15,21-35. All believers are forgiven. It is that forgiveness which makes us what we are. Without it we would never experience fellowship with the Lord Jesus and his people. Without it we could never look forward to being in heaven in his presence. Yet when it comes to forgiving others for minor sins against us [or indeed sometimes only perceived sin] we have great difficulty in granting forgiveness. Still we pray ‘forgive us …..as we forgive’! Mt. 6:12. In our Christian experience we should have three [at least!] objectives: 1. Not to sin against others and 2. If someone sins against us we should be ready to forgive them and 3. Our goal should be to live at peace and in fellowship with all believers. Should we offer forgiveness to those who have not asked for it? Do we let it be known that forgiveness is available if requested? Vs. 21. Peter had a question. The law required that he should forgive three times. He lets it be known that he is prepared to go much further than the law requires and yet when Jesus answers his question it becomes clear that following Him means far more than just doing a bit more than the law demands. We have to keep on forgiving indefinately. Are we prepared to forgive repeatedly? Vs. 24-27. The servant owed the equivalent of millions in to-days terms. The kings intended action represented contemporary justice. He was entitled to do as he ordered. Instead he listened to the pleas of his debtor and freed the servant from debt. As sinners we deserve the prescribed punishment. Yet, remarkably, because of the death of Christ death on the cross we walk free. In comparison the sum owed to this servant by his fellow servant was miniscule. He applied the full rigor of the law. The contrast in the two sums owed emphasises the forgiveness on the one hand and the lack of mercy on the other. Given the Lords teaching in Lk. 6:27-31 what should have been the reaction of the forgiven servant? If God were to treat us as we treat others how would our lives be different? What, if anything, can we conclude about those who profess to be believers and yet do not follow the teaching of scripture and do not, for example, forgive others? Sanctification is one of the great objectives of the Christian life. As we journey towards sanctification we should endeavor to increase our holiness as we are given opportunities to confess, repent, reform, forgive etc, etc. We must take these opportunities and follow the teaching of scripture and the examples in it. In other words we must obey! The scriptures are not academic theory, they are a handbook for daily living.