IEvery day pray that everyone you know will either become a Christian or influence others to become a Christian, and please share this online book with others - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
For Wednesday evening services, the Lord has lead me to do a Bible study for practical Bible verses in Matthew. Please come back to these Bible lessons in order to review them and learn them. Whenever we have learned the meaning of Bible verses and think about them throughout each day, we will be in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Not only that, but when we are in a situation in our daily lives and are tempted to sin, we can think back to what we have learned from the Bible and say to ourselves, "The Bible says to not do what I am tempted to say, think, do, and/or desire right now, so I am going to refuse to give in to this temptation." This is what Romans 12:2 means, and it says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This is also the pattern that Jesus used when the devil tempted Him to sin in Matthew 4:1-11.
Chapter 18
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
Matthew 18:23-35
23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But 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. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then 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: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In this parable we see that someone can forgive others of large debts. Similarly, but on a much larger scale, God forgives our debts (sins) when we become Christians (See chapter 41 of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com).
Since God forgives our debts, we should forgive people's debts (sins) against us. Jesus also teaches this in the Lord's prayer. (Matthew 6:12 says, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.")
The message of Matthew 18:23-35 is that someone who professes to be a Christian should forgive others and not seek to punish them. Instead, the Christian will seek to forgive them for not being able to pay back the money they loaned them, for example. However, if someone robs a Christian or tries to kill them, for example, they can contact the police.
Another point that could cause confusion, is that most people who pray or make descisions to become Christians probably don't think about people who have asked them to forgive them, but they refused. Although, someone may become a Christian and later remember the incidents when they refused to forgive, but now that they are a Christian, their new nature will reach out and forgive.
On the other hand, the same scenario could happen, but the person who prayed or made a descion to become a Christian could refuse to forgive and never change their their mind. This means they never became a Christian in the first place (This is what Matthew 18:31-35 mean.)
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you have failed to live the way this message has described, ask God to forgive you for that. Then, reach out and attempt to forgive.
If you have never prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you are not sure you are really a Christian (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:18-22, 1 John 5:14, and Hebrews 11:1), please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven