Matthew 18:32-35 NKJV
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. [33] Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' [34] And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
God sees an unforgiving heart and it enrages Him.
He expects His children to mimic His forgiving nature out of gratefulness for sins forgiven.
"Never forgive, never forget" shouldn't be a motto we use.
This is a no-go area for many of us. Often we fabricate an excuse for harbouring resentment towards someone.
In his book "God meant it for good" RT Kendall cites the life of Joseph as an example of what total forgiveness looks like.
After Jacob, their shared father died, Joseph's brothers feared that he would now take revenge for their actions.
Remember, they were jealous of him, his coat of many colours and his "silly" dreams. So they first threw him into a pit to die, then relented and sold him to some passing slave traders where he ended up in Egypt.
Then they had lied to their father, soaking his precious coat in blood and telling their dad that he must have been killed by a wild animal.
It wasn't a good look was it!?
Joseph responds whole heartedly to his fearful brothers:
Genesis 50:19-21 NKJV
Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [20] But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. [21] Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
That's what true forgiveness looks like.
Joseph didn't pretend it never happened: "You meant it for evil" - he was starkly aware of his brothers' evil motives - BUT GOD meant it for good.
We can only get around massive hurts by seeing God's mysterious plans pan out for eventual good.
Trust the Lord and forgive that festering hurt or offence.
What awaits the unforgiving soul doesn't bear thinking about!
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