The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [11] 01/16/2024 (Evening thought)

Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him saying Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all.

[2] The unforgiving servant in the parable seems to have had good intentions, for unlike some others he actually promised to pay back his just dues. In other words, he did not seek to shirk his responsibility by trying to avoid his lender. Wherever we may have fallen short on the issues of outstanding debts, let’s ask God for wisdom to make a turnaround, and when He hears, and answers your earnest prayers in these matters, let us try our very best to turn a new page, so that persons could stand tall in the freedom that the gospel affords.

Wherever possible, persons, and saints, who have racked up debt, either inadvertently, or by splurging wantonly, should try their very best to reconcile the debt, because avoiding or shunning one’s just dues, brings great dishonor to the kingdom of God, and in some cases can actually cause the casual observer to brand the followers of Jesus as untrustworthy. The Bible refers to the followers of Jesus as a Royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people.

Thus, if the “peculiar” people are found riddled with debt that is irreconcilable, it would raise the question in the mind of the worldling as to what is so peculiar about them. Legal vehicles that are available in the courts of the land for mitigating debt, such as persons declaring bankruptcy, should be avoided wherever possible, for doing so as a Christian, can cause the worldling to conclude that the followers of Jesus are not that great at managing temporal matters.

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [10] 01/15/2024 (Morning thought)

Deuteronomy 4: 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither you go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom, and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

The people God must have something special about them, which would attract, and not dissuade others as per the viability and nobility of God’s kingdom. In this way the secular observer will be led to conclude that it is a good thing to follow Jesus, as manifested in the lives of the you and me, as the principles and laws of God are lived out in real time.

Especially, with the current interest rates on credit cards hovering around 23%, individuals and families should be wary of racking up debt, for doing so can put persons in a very unfortunate situation, where lenders might have to go after them, sometimes via litigation.

Deuteronomy 4:7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Deuteronomy 15: 5 Only if you carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. 6 For the Lord thy God blesses thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!