Episode 14

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Published on:

6th Apr 2022

To Forgive or Not To Forgive...That is the Question?

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant can be found in Matthew 18:21-34. Jesus shares the importance of forgiveness. Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the offences of our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how unforgiving his servants are. There are three things in the parable:

1. The master's wonderful clemency. The debt of sin is so great, that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves; this is the wages of sin, to be sold as a slave. It is the folly of many who are under strong convictions of their sins, to fancy they can make God satisfied for the wrong they have done him.

2. The servant's unreasonable severity toward his fellow-servant, notwithstanding his lord's clemency toward him. Not that we may make light of wronging our neighbour, for that is also a sin against God; but we should not aggravate our neighbour's wronging us, nor study revenge. Let our complaints, both of the wickedness of the wicked, and of the afflictions of the afflicted, be brought to God, and left with him.

3. The master reproved his servant's cruelty. The greatness of sin magnifies the riches of pardoning mercy; and the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy, does much to dispose our hearts to forgive our brethren. We are not to suppose that God actually forgives men, and afterwards reckons their guilt to them to condemn them; but this latter part of the parable shows the false conclusions many draw as to their sins being pardoned, though their after-conduct shows that they never entered into the spirit, or experienced the sanctifying grace of the gospel.

We do not forgive our offending brother aright, if we do not forgive from the heart. Yet this is not enough; we must seek the welfare even of those who offend us. How justly will those be condemned, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in unmerciful treatment of their brethren? The humbled sinner relies only on free, abounding mercy, through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from him.

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Treading Faith
Faith and Relationship
Treading Faith is a podcast dedicated to a deep dive into open, honest, difficult and fun conversations surrounding everyday life and relationships while navigating the waters of faith.

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Treading Faith

Philia - A Wife, Mother, Sister, Friend, Educator, and Sierra Leonean-American Daughter. Moved by the gift of Jesus Christ, Philia converted from Islam to Christianity and was baptized in 2019. Full of love and light, Philia is dedicated to loving all in need. Philia's giving heart ensures that her home is always full of those seeking shelter, warmth, healing and love, which she freely gives. Philia feels joy in diving deeper in her relationship with God and sharing her God given gifts, talents, and abilities with others. Her goal is to be a walking, living, breathing testimony of God's transformative power of love. The love of God shines brightly through Philia and anyone in her vicinity is drawn to that light.

Yemi - A native Brooklynite, Nigerian-American, Lawyer, Friend and Day One Christian. Yemi is a woman of passion and love for God. She takes time to understand life through the lens of her faith while finding most situations authored by God's comedy. Her desire to grow in faith came during her 2017-2018 episode of depression. She surrendered to God and felt peace in trusting in the Lord. God led her to start a live bible study and prayer call which flourished for two years with the help of her co-host Philia. Yemi desires to share her faith journey and struggles with everyone near and far. She relishes in the transformation and testimonies of others and her heart is most full when she is spreading love.