When someone “owes” us an apology, there is possibly bitterness that has taken root in our heart. Don’t get me wrong, our soul enjoys a good performance of tears and a vocalized “sorry” when trust has been broken. But the Biblical definition of forgiveness is the removal of debt owed. For some of us growing up in the local church with “spiritual shepherds/fathers” that broke our trust has played out more times than we prefer to count. In my judgmental heart, I promised God I would be a better shepherd and protect the sheep with a tender heart and yet found myself saying the same things I had judged other spiritual fathers for. When I open my heart to God in this area, He reminds me I am forgiven without debt. Quickly judgment of other spiritual fathers debt is removed as well. Talking with many loving pastors who have hurt and said the wrong things to possible one percent of the sheep they feed, it is the one percent that keeps them up at night with regret of breaking trust and misrepresenting Jesus. The enemy often reminds them of the one they disappointed, so that they focus on failures and feel powerless from feeding and making disciples. Let us pray blessings for those who hurt us and truly discover there is no debt that is owed to us.
Jesus was amazed at four friends who had faith enough to rip off a roof and lower their paralyzed friend to the feet of Jesus. Everyone needs friends that are seeking the kingdom first because when it comes time to go to spiritual war, the ones that are building their own kingdom first can often be too busy to even notice anyone around them is paralyzed.
Jesus lived forgiveness from Heaven but didn’t trust everyone. Forgiveness from Heaven and trust from Heaven are not the same thing. Forgiveness is a gift to the entire world through Jesus. John said, “behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”. Trust from Jesus is through relationship and obedience to His love. Jesus removed himself from the physical abuse of the self righteous trying to stone him because He didn’t trust them…..of course it wasn’t his time for the cross (John 8:59). There are people in your life to do ministry to, but Jesus possibly hasn’t called you to do ministry with. The friends that are running to Jesus and living godliness for love, not gain, are the ones to do ministry with.
The Apostle Paul was going to spiritual war for the early church and disagreed with Barnabas to separate ways. They didn’t separate because of doctrinal issues or because of any unforgiveness. They separated because Paul didn’t trust who Barnabas was ministering with. Barnabas had a cousin ( John Mark) who had already stepped away from the ministry once during a difficult work time and the trust was broken with Paul (Acts 15:36-39) It is healthy to have many friends and enemies that you forgive with the power of the Holy Spirit and it’s healthy to have a few friends you trust to seek Jesus with. Take time this week to be the trusted friend to rip off the roof for someone close to reach the feet of Jesus!
Our Father in Heaven loves the world so much that He sent His son Jesus for everyone to receive the kingdom of forgiveness. “Isn’t it called the kingdom of Heaven?” you might be thinking. You are right but what do you think the kingdom of heaven is like when it comes to binding unforgiveness or releasing forgiveness?
The thing that Jesus did most that He was hated by the religious leaders was releasing the forgiveness that was in heaven. It was religious suicide to tell someone their sins were forgiven without going through the spiritual gymnastics of the old covenant sacrifices. Even today the over-religious earthly thoughts in us all expects a good apology for any emotional abuse before releasing forgiveness. Jesus didn’t wait for the tears or even the confession, just like His Father in the prodigal son parable who released love by wrapping His arms around His son. Jesus released forgiveness without a resume or speech from the adulteress woman and gave her the power to sin no more. Jesus offended the religious leaders not because He healed but because He forgave freely.
When we don’t tap into Heaven’s forgiveness to release it into the earth, we can drink from the root of bitterness. Jesus in His love warns the Jewish people that holding unforgiveness is like drinking poison into our bodies. Many of the Jewish people bound the unforgiveness to the Roman government and expected God to fight their battle for the land of Israel like the Old Covenant. Even though Jesus forgave all the jewish people at the cross, they refused to give the new covenant of the kingdom of forgiveness and God turned them over to the rulers of their land. More than a million jews died when Jerusalem and the mosaic temple system was destroyed in 70ad by the Romans. All the records of the Levitical priests were destroyed so that never again can we go back to temple sacrifice the way it was commanded under the law of Moses. Through the new covenant we are invited to the law of love, which binds the poison and suicide on earth and releases forgiveness from Heaven.
Matthew 18:23-35
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[j] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
brandonpollard 