Compassion for those who sin against us

Reading: Matthew chapter18 verses 15-35

Is there someone who has wronged you, and the problem between the two of you has not been resolved? The Bible teaches us that it is the one who has been wronged, who should make the first move to put matters right, particularly if s/he is a Christian.

It is often reassuring to hear Peter, the disciple of Jesus, speak, because he so often reflects our own thoughts. On one occasion he seized the opportunity to ask, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus replied, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” This is unlimited forgiveness; once you have forgiven this many times, it will become habitual to do so.

In the parable that follows, Jesus reveals the spirit from which such forgiveness flows:

• We must appreciate how great our debt is towards God.
• We must experience the Lord’s COMPASSION, which not only forgives but also cancels our debt. It is not only when we appreciate how much we have been forgiven that we will have compassion towards those who offend us.

It is almost unbelievable that a servant, who had been the recipient of such great COMPASSION, could display an unforgiving spirit towards a fellow servant who owed him a small debt. His failure in this led to him being disciplined by his master.

May God help us all to live according to the command of Scripture: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians chapter 4 verse 32.

‘Jesus, Thou art all COMPASSION; pure, unbounded love Thou art’

(Charles Wesley)