The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: A Lesson in Forgiveness

Some days ago, while studying my Bible, I came across a parable that struck a chord within me. The story of the unforgiving servant, found in Matthew 18:21-35 

The parable begins with a servant who owes his master a staggering sum of 10,000 talents. When the master demands payment, the servant falls to his knees, pleading for mercy. Moved by compassion, the master forgives the debt.

However, this same servant then confronts another servant who owes him a mere 100 denarii. Despite the other servant's pleas for mercy, the servant refuses to forgive the debt and instead has him thrown into prison.

There is another similar story as well. 

Once upon a time, there was a servant who owed his master a huge sum of money. He had promised to repay the debt within a week, but when the due date arrived, he had not yet gathered the required amount. Desperate and ashamed, he went to his master's house, fell to the ground, and pleaded for more time.

His master, moved with compassion, told him to rise, dust himself off, and go free—completely forgiving his debt.

However, upon returning home, this same servant went to the house of a friend who owed him a small sum. When his friend begged for patience, just as he had done with his master, he refused to listen. Instead, he shouted at and humiliated his friend, demanding immediate payment.

Read: The Consequences of Keeping Malice

News of this servant’s actions soon reached his master. The master was shocked and angered by his servant’s wickedness. Having received immense mercy himself, he had failed to extend even a fraction of that same mercy to another. Enraged, the master reinstated the original punishment that the servant had initially escaped.

This story illustrates the importance of forgiveness. The master represents God, the servant symbolizes individuals who struggle to forgive, and the friend represents those toward whom unforgiveness is directed. The parable as well, reflects the lives of many Christians. When people hurt us or wrong us, we often find it difficult to let go. We might even make statements like, "It's over my dead body that I'll forgive this person." I understand how uneasy forgiveness can be, and trust me, God understands too. But despite the difficulty, God still tells us to forgive and let go of the hurt caused to us.

Read: The Power of Dwelling in the Secret Place

In fact, God didn't just tell us to forgive; He showed us how. In the beginning of creation, humanity's disobedience led to our fall from grace, resulting in our expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Yet, God's infinite mercy found a way to reconcile us back to Him, forgiving all our sins.

Even though he knows how hurtful it is, he still tell us to forgive and let go of hurt caused to us. He didn't just tell us but also show us how to, In the beginning of creation, human through disobedience fall out of grace and got kicked out of the garden of Eden but God's infinite mercy still find a way to reconcile us back to him and forgive all our sins.

Even in the Lord’s prayer we said "And forgive us all our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"   this part also means that the cateria to receive forgiveness from God is by we extending same forgiveness to our fellow human. Forgiveness doesn't invalidate our emotions nor does it say we should let people take us for granted but forgiveness is releasing bitterness towards this people and the need for revenge.

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Even though God forgave us there are still consequence that every actions attract so when someone hurt you and you decided to place boundaries and this people try to gaslight you into believing that maybe you are yet to forgive that doesn't state that you haven't but it is just a necessary measure to prevent you from being taken for granted. so It's okay to set necessary boundaries from people who are unrepentant of the fact that their actions cause you hurt. But make sure those boundaries aren't born out of bitterness or unforgiveness.

Forgiving someone who has hurt or wronged us is often difficult. However, we do not forgive solely for the benefit of the offender, but for our own peace and spiritual well-being. God's forgiveness is conditional upon our willingness to forgive others, as seen in the Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

The Consequences of Unforgiveness

When we choose not to forgive, we create a toxic cycle of bitterness and resentment that can consume us. Unforgiveness can lead to spiritual bondage, causing us to become trapped in a prison of our own making. As the unforgiving servant in the parable, we may find ourselves condemning others while ignoring our own need for forgiveness.

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness has the power to set us free. When we choose to forgive, we release the burden of resentment and anger, allowing us to move forward in freedom and peace.

Conclusion

If we desire God's forgiveness, we must also extend it to others. Unforgiveness is like a prison of the heart—both the offender and the offended remain trapped. The one holding the grudge becomes the jailer, constantly monitoring the prisoner, yet in doing so, remains bound as well.

In conclusion, forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being. As we strive to forgive others, let us remember that God's mercy and forgiveness are available to us, and that His power can help us overcome even the deepest hurts.

May the Holy Spirit grant us the wisdom and strength to forgive, so that we may walk in true freedom and peace. Amen.

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