Experience has shown that people who receive kindness from God and man sometimes turn out to be terrible tyrants. Some people who were delivered from the jaws of death by God’s benevolence and mercy in the past have become takers of lives. Such people forget that as recipients of God’s mercy, much more is expected from them. They are like the wicked servant in Matthew 18:23-35; whose debt to his master was so great that the master knew there was no way he could repay it, and so forgave him out of compassion. In Matthew 18:28, the Lord describes what this servant did after he was released from prison, saying:
“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.”
As if that was not enough, this wicked and inconsiderate man put his fellow servant in jail until he got his money back. Some of us might cringe in horror at this awful attitude, but the question is, are we not doing the same thing against our fellow human beings, even in the household of faith? Many of us would have died if God were to repay us according to our sins, but thank God for His mercies. Are we however showing the same level of mercy to those we have authority over or within our sphere of influence? Are we not seeking vengeance on those who have wronged us in one way or the other? The story of what the wicked servant did got to the master and, in annoyance, he revoked the pardon he had given the wicked servant, casting him back into prison. In Matthew 18:35, our Lord Jesus Christ concludes the story thus:
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

We became children of God when He forgave our sins. We should therefore not find it difficult to forgive those who offend us, knowing that if we had not been forgiven, we would have been in a sorry state. Having been relieved of our heavy load of sin through forgiveness, let us also forgive at all times. However, if you have not received forgiveness of your sins, it may be that you have not repented of them. Repent today, and you will receive the joy of being forgiven.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.