Topic: Sin Is A Vast Debt [22nd August 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: Matthew 18:23-35 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” (Matthew 18:32, 33).
MESSAGE:
According to Benjamin Keach, “Sin is a vast debt, considering what wrong it hath done to God. It is a crossing of His will, a violation of His sovereign and dominion, a defacing of His image, resisting of His Spirit, abuse of His patience, a slighting fall of His love, mercy and goodness. Sin is a great debt because all men, yea, all saints of the earth can’t pay its debt. It damns the sinner to eternal wrath and vengeance.”
A servant owed his master ten thousand talents. His debt was too heavy to pay. In his dismay, he begged for pardon at the feet of his master. Out of mercy, the master forgave him completely. In like manner, God forgives freely and fully the penitent sinner. He gave, not a half pardon, but complete pardon to whosoever will ask for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, the forgiven debtor’s conduct towards his fellow servant was odious. With cruel harshness and brutal insistence, he wanted the fellow servant to pay back and went on to mete out punishment. Consequently, the master recalled the pardon and sent the debtor to the tormentors.
Christians should rejoice at the great clemency of God in forgiving them their vast debt. The depth and height of His love and forgiveness should melt their hearts and lead them to forgive others. Yet, the commitment of many believers is sorely tested when others offend them. Some forgive but cannot forget. A so-called believer who finds it difficult to forgive has indeed never received the mercy and forgiveness of the Saviour. For if he has, it becomes much easier to unreservedly forgive when offended. If you cannot forgive, then there is no spark of light in you.
Thought For The Day: He who is forgiven much easily loves more.
Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 46-48
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
){kind=link}