Good morning, folks.
Another day is upon us. Now to figure out what to do with it. Several entries are already on my list. I guess I’ll just try to take on the little individual segments of this 24-hour period—beginning with an old man jog—then carry on from there—and see what happens.
May your own allotment of 24 hours play out for good.
Love and prayers, Ray.
If this parable establishes anything, it confirms that God’s forgiveness contract is given with a contingency clause—one that can potentially be ignored or underestimated by the recipient. This clause is not obscure or hidden somewhere in the fine print. It’s clearly stated in and through the entire document (e.g., Ephesians 4:31-32). This critically important contingency clause could be rephrased something like this: The gracious gift of God’s cancelation of your personal massive debt is not fully activated to clear your account unless you extend the same forgiveness to a brother/sister who owes you little by comparison.
Notice that the king in this story Jesus tells is not just a little bit irritated with this unforgiving servant. He is FURIOUS! And he doesn’t just have him tossed into jail. He actually authorizes TORTURE! Wow! Earlier in this story the servant is presented as being forgiven of “one billion dollars” (v. 24. The Passion Translation)—a debt so huge that no laborer could ever repay—a practical impossibility! In the judgment of this king, the unforgiving servant has crossed a line. The greatness of the king’s mercy and forgiveness has been depreciated. “In a fury of anger, the king turned him over to the prison guards to be tortured until all his debt was repaid (which is NEVER!). In this same way, my heavenly Father will deal with any of you if you do not release forgiveness from your heart toward your fellow believer” (vv. 34-35. The Passion Translation).
Question: If this story represents valid TRUTH, how in the world are we supposed to respond to the popular notion that God’s love and His forgiveness are UNCONDITIONAL?! While you are formulating your answer, let’s pause and sing this great little chorus…