Five Test For Doctrine

    HOME OF ARTICLES

D. Jakes says that God eternally exists in three manifestations, not three persons. Greg Boyd says God knows some aspects of the future, but that other future events are outside of his knowledge. 

 Creflo Dollar says because we are created in the image of God, we are little gods. Mormonism says God revealed new scripture to Joseph Smith that supersedes the Bible. Roman Catholicism says we are justified by faith, but not by faith alone. This world is a murky madness of true and false. For every doctrine we know to be true, there seems to be a hundred pretenders.

No wonder, then, that John tells us to “test the spirits” and Paul says, “test everything” (1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). It is our sacred responsibility to examine every doctrine to determine if it is true or false. But how can we distinguish sound doctrine from false? How can we distinguish teachers of truth from teachers of error?

   In our opening article, I said that putting a doctrine to the test is the best way to determine if it is true or false. As we test the doctrine, we learn our responsibility toward it: We either hold to it or we reject it. I am returning to those tests today to explain them in greater detail. They provide a grid that is useful for testing any doctrine.

Test 1: The Test of Origin

The first test is the test of origin. Sound doctrine originates with God; false doctrine originates with someone or something created by God. The Apostle Paul went to great lengths to convince the church in Galatia that the gospel he taught was not his own, but God’s. “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). 

  Even Jesus was clear that he taught only what God had instructed him to teach: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me” (John 7:16). True doctrine originates with the God who is true (Titus 1:2).

It is this simple: Sound teaching originates with God and false teaching originates with men or demons.

Just as true doctrine is marked by its divine origin, false doctrine is marked by its worldly origin. Paul warned the Colossian church to avoid doctrine that is “according to human precepts and teachings” and told Timothy that some would “depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (Colossians 2:22, 1 Timothy 4:1). 

  It is this simple: Sound teaching originates with God and false teaching originates with men or demons. When it comes to doctrine, if man made it, then we should not hold it. God is the Father of truth and Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

The test: Does this doctrine originate with God or has it been fabricated by someone or something else?

This leaves us with an obvious question: How can we know the origin of a doctrine? Sometimes its origin is obvious, but more often it is not. When we are uncertain, we can turn to our second test.

Test 2: The Test of Authority

The second test is the test of authority. Sound doctrine grounds its authority within the Bible; false doctrine grounds its authority outside the Bible. The Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible, sufficient, complete, and authoritative revelation of himself to humanity. Doctrines that originate in the mind of God are recorded in the Word of God. There is a clear and necessary correlation between origin and authority, between God and his Word.

We can think here of those noble Bereans who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They knew that all doctrines must be compared to God’s Word, his source of truth. Likewise, Paul praised the Thessalonians for their careful assessment and acceptance of his teaching because they understood its divine authority. 

 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Sound doctrine originates in the mind of God and is recorded in his authoritative self-revelation, the Bible.

The test: Does this doctrine appeal to the Bible for its authority? Or does it appeal to another scripture or another mind?

But a concern remains, because two teachers may both claim the authority of the Bible while teaching very different things. How can we know whose interpretation is correct? This is where we turn to the third test.

Test 3: The Test of Consistency

The third test is the test of consistency. Sound doctrine is consistent with the whole of Scripture; false doctrine is inconsistent with some parts of Scripture. There is a sameness or familiarity to true doctrine and a strangeness or unfamiliarity to false doctrine. 

  The man who wrote the letter to the Hebrews warned his congregation about “diverse and strange teachings,” while Paul warned Timothy about accepting “different doctrine” (Hebrews 13:9; 1 Timothy 1:3, 6:3). Both meant to emphasize that doctrine must always be compared to the established, accepted body of truth. Those who are knowledgeable about that body of truth will be in the best position to immediately identify and refute what is false.

Because there can be no contradiction in the mind of God, there can be no contradiction in the revelation of God.

This is tied to a key theological principle, “the analogy of faith,” which is often explained with the phrase “Scripture interprets Scripture.” If the Bible originates in the infallible mind of God, it must be consistent throughout. Because there can be no contradiction in the mind of God, there can be no contradiction in the revelation of God. What the Bible teaches in one place it cannot refute in another. Therefore, any true doctrine must be consistent with the whole of Scripture. 

   Doctrine must never be treated in isolation, but always in light of a correct understanding of the entire Bible. Too many false teachers isolate verses or ideas that cannot withstand the scrutiny of the whole Book.

The test: Is this doctrine established or refuted by the entirety of Scripture?

Once we have tested doctrine and found it to be true, according to these three criteria, we can also see its soundness by its effects on us and those around us. That requires two more tests.

Test 4: The Test of Spiritual Growth

The fourth test is the test of spiritual growth. Sound doctrine is beneficial for spiritual health; false doctrine leads to spiritual weakness. After instructing Timothy, Paul told him, “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained [“nourished”] in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed” (1 Timothy 4:6). Timothy had trained himself in the Bible and Christian doctrine. 

   He had nourished himself in the truths he had been exposed to since he was a child. And he had never stopped. Through this continual nourishment, this ongoing dining on the Word of God, he had grown spiritually healthy and strong. He had accumulated a thorough knowledge of God and his Word. This is why Paul called him a “man of God” with “sincere faith” (1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s constant nourishment in sound doctrine from the Word of God made him the man he was.

    Sound doctrine makes spiritually healthy, mature, knowledgeable Christians. False doctrine makes spiritually unhealthy, immature, ignorant Christians who may be no Christians at all.

Test 5: The Test of Godly Living

The fifth test is the test of godly living. Sound doctrine has value for godly living, false doctrine leads to ungodly living. Truth never stands on its own, but always has implications in life. Doctrine is always meant to lead to doxology, worship, and purposeful living. “All Scripture is breathed out by God,” says Paul, “and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

Scripture is not to be known in an abstract sense, but intimately. It is to inform not only our minds, but our hearts and hands as well.

   Truth has not been grasped until it has been lived.Paul charged Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine,” reminding him that such doctrine is “excellent and profitable for people” (3:8, 2:1). “What accords with” sound doctrine is its far-reaching implications, the duties that flow out of it.

 Thus, sound doctrine has value. 

• It is profitable in teaching us to live as we ought to live. 
• It equips us to do those things that are are good for our neighbor and that bring honor and glory to our God.
•  Truth has not been grasped until it has been lived. Sound doctrine profits us by training us to live in a way that pleases God. 
• False doctrine weakens us by training us to live in a way that dishonors God.

Evaluation: The Determination of Quality

At this point we simply take all of the evidence from the three tests and make a conclusion about the quality of the doctrine in question. Sound doctrine originates with God, is recorded in the Word of God, is consistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to both spiritual health and godly living.

    False doctrine originates with men or demons, is foreign to the Word of God, is inconsistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to spiritual weakness and ungodly living. It must pass all of the tests in order to be sound. If it fails one, it fails all of them. 

  This word “sound” refers to health and appears often in the New Testament. For example, Paul instructed Timothy, “Follow the pattern of the sound [“healthy”] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). To Titus he said, “Teach what accords with sound [“healthy”] doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

The task of the doctor is to evaluate a patient to declare him fit or unfit. The patient is fit when his whole body is functioning properly, free of disease. The task of the Christian is to evaluate every doctrine to declare it fit or unfit. 

  John Stott says it characteristically well: “Christian doctrine is healthy in the same way as the human body is healthy. For Christian doctrine resembles the human body. 

  It is a coordinated system consisting of different parts which relate to one another and together constitute a harmonious whole. If therefore our theology is maimed (with bits missing) or diseased (with bits distorted), it is not ‘sound’ or ‘healthy’.” Doctrine that passes the three tests is sound doctrine. It is pure and undefiled, true according to God’s unfailing standard of truth.

The evaluation: Based on the evidence, is this doctrine sound or false?

Action: Determine Your Responsibility

Having thoroughly tested the doctrine and examined its effects, we are able to determine how to respond to it. Sound doctrine must be accepted and held fast; false doctrine must be denied and rejected. 

  When Jesus spoke to the believers in Thyatira, he commended them for clinging to truth and told them to “hold fast what you have until I come” (Revelation 2:25). Paul described the elder as a man who “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Our responsibility is clear: We must accept and hold fast to what is true, and we must deny and reject what is false. Likewise, the church must welcome those who teach sound doctrine and rebuke those who do not. If they do not heed correction, the church must reject them, removing them and their influence (1 Corinthians 5:9).

Conclusion

In summary, true doctrine (content) originates with God (origin), is grounded in the Bible (authority), and agrees with the whole of Scripture (consistency). Because such doctrine is sound (quality), it is healthy (benefit), and profitable (value) for us, and we are responsible for holding it (responsibility).

  False doctrine (content) originates with man (origin), is not grounded in the Bible (authority), and contradicts portions of Scripture (consistency). Because such doctrine is unsound (quality), it is unhealthy (benefit) and unprofitable (value) for us, and we are responsible for rejecting it (responsibility).

Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.

Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.

AWH, Blogs.

Share 

Erroneous Doctrine

       HOME OF ARTICLES 

Doctrine is “a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true.” Biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. 

  False doctrine is any idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s Word. For example, any teaching about Jesus that denies His virgin birth is a false doctrine, because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture (Matthew 1:18).

As early as the first century AD, false doctrine was already infiltrating the church, and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors(Galatians 1:6–9; Colossians 2:20–23; Titus 1:10–11). 

   Paul exhorted his protégé Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flock: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3–4).

As followers of Christ, we have no excuse for remaining ignorant of theology because we have the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) available to us—the Bible is complete. As we “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), we are less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers and false prophets. When we know God’s Word, “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

It is important to point out the difference between false doctrine and denominational disagreements. Different congregational groups see secondary issues in Scripture differently. These differences are not always due to false doctrine on anyone’s part. Church policies, governmental decisions, style of worship, etc., are all open for discussion, since they are not directly addressed in Scripture.

   Even those issues that are addressed in Scripture are often debated by equally sincere disciples of Christ. Differences in interpretation or practice do not necessarily qualify as false doctrine, nor should they divide the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10).

False doctrine is that which opposes some fundamental truth or that which is necessary for salvation. The following are some examples of false doctrine:

• The erasing of hell. The Bible describes hell as a real place of eternal torment, the destination for every unregenerate soul (Revelation 20:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). 

A denial of hell directly contradicts Jesus’ own words (Matthew 10:28; 25:46) and is therefore a false doctrine.

• The idea that there are “many paths to God.” This philosophy has become popular recently under the guise of tolerance. This false doctrine claims that, since God is love, He will accept any religious effort as long as the practitioner is sincere. Such relativism flies in the face of the entire Bible and effectively eliminates any need for the Son of God to take on flesh and be crucified for us (Jeremiah 12:17; John 3:15–18). It also contradicts Jesus’ direct words that He is the only way to God (John 14:6).
• Any teaching that redefines the person of Jesus Christ. Doctrine that denies the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, His sinless nature, His actual death, or His physical resurrection is false doctrine. A group’s errant Christology readily identifies it as a sect or cult that may claim to be Christian but is actually teaching false doctrine. Even many mainline denominations have begun the rapid slide into apostasy by declaring that they no longer hold to a literal interpretation of Scripture or the deity of Christ. First John 4:1–3 makes it clear that a denial of biblical Christology is “anti-Christ.” Jesus described false teachers within the church as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15).

• Teaching that adds human religious works to Christ’s finished work on the cross as necessary ingredients for salvation. This teaching may pay lip service to salvation by faith alone but insists that a religious ritual (such as water baptism) is salvific. Some groups even legislate hairstyles, clothing options, and food consumption. Romans 11:6 warns against attempts to mix grace with works. Ephesians 2:8–9 says we are saved by the grace of God, through faith, and nothing we do can add to or take away from it. Galatians 1:6–9 pronounces a curse on anyone who changes the good news of salvation by grace.

• The teaching that presents grace as a license to sin. Sometimes called “easy-believism,” this false doctrine implies that all one must do for right standing with God is to believe the facts about Jesus, pray a prayer at some point, and then resume control of one’s life with the assurance of heaven at the end. Paul dealt with this thinking in Romans 6. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warned those who adopt this doctrine that they did not know Him at all. Second Corinthians 5:17 states that those who are “in Christ” become “new creatures.” That transformation, in response to a believer’s faith in Christ, changes the outward behaviors. To know and love Christ is to obey Him (Luke 6:46).

Satan has been confusing and perverting the Word of God since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1–4; Matthew 4:6). False teachers, the servants of Satan, try to appear as “servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15), but they will be known by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). A charlatan promoting false doctrine will show signs of pride, greed, and rebellion (see Jude 1:11) and will often promote or engage in sexual immorality (2 Peter 2:14; Revelation 2:20).

We are wise to recognize how vulnerable we are to heresy and make it our habit to do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11: “They . . . examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” When we make it our goal to follow the lead of the first church, we will go far in avoiding the pitfalls of false doctrine. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Such devotion will protect us and ensure that we are on the path Jesus set for us.

Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.

Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.

AWH, Blogs.

Share.

DIVINE GUIDELINES FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS

HOME OF ARTICLES 

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV)

 

The believers in Christ are called to pursue holiness and peace with all people.

Hebrews 12:14 – NKJV

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Psalms 34:14 – NKJV

14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

While you may not always be able to prevent a conflict or disagreement with someone from happening, you can always prevent it from degenerating into malice, bitterness, or resentment by seeking to resolve it quickly.

Many breakups we see today in relationships, marriages, and churches are terrible consequences of failure or negligence to diligently pursue peace by seeking to resolve conflicts quickly by following God’s guidelines in the Bible.

Indeed, there are difficult people or troublemakers in the world who will frustrate all your attempts to resolve conflicts with them as quickly as you desire.

This is why the Scripture admonishes, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans. 12:18 NKJV).

When a believer has a conflict, dispute, or disagreement with another believer, the Scripture offers guidelines on resolving the conflict quickly and amicably.

Regrettably, many believers today pay no attention to these divine guidelines for resolving conflicts, allowing the devil to exploit minor conflicts to wreak great havoc in their lives, relationships, marriages, or homes.

It is indeed wisdom to pursue peace when there is a conflict or disagreement between you and your brother or sister in Christ, following the guidelines and instructions taught by the Lord Jesus. These guidelines are spelled out in Matthew 18:15-17.

Matthew 18:15-17 – NKJV

 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

 16 “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

 17 “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Let us carefully examine these divine guidelines for resolving conflicts quickly between believers.

First, seek to resolve the conflict personally or privately.

The Lord Jesus taught that you must first seek to resolve your conflict with your fellow believer personally or privately, without any involvement of the third party.

Jesus said, “Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone…” (Matt. 18:15 NKJV).

When Jesus said, “you and him alone,” He meant without you informing, involving, or reporting to any other persons.

Therefore, it is scripturally wrong to invite a third party into a conflict you have not made any real personal effort to resolve privately.

Many marriages, good relationships, or friendships today have been ruined or shattered by a third party’s immediate involvement or intervention in the conflict.

It is wisdom to heed the Lord’s instruction and warning that you must first personally and diligently pursue peace between you and your fellow believer with whom you have a dispute or conflict.

Second, if all your diligent efforts to resolve a conflict between you and your brother/sister in Christ personally or privately fail, then involve one or two mature believers.

Sometimes, all your sincere personal efforts or attempts to privately resolve the conflict or disagreement between you and your brother/sister in the Lord may yield little good result.

When this happens, the Lord Jesus instructed, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matt. 18:16 NKJV).

However, not everybody is suitable to resolve the conflict between two believers.

What sort of person should you involve in resolving a conflict between you and a fellow believer?

Firstly, the person resolving a conflict must also be a true born-again believer.

Secondly, the person should not be a stranger to both of you. It must be someone that both of you know, respect, or hold in high esteem.

Thirdly, the person should be older, more mature, and more experienced in life and faith than you.

Besides, it is better to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you to the right person He has chosen and prepared to resolve the conflict between you and your brother/sister in the Lord.

Involving the wrong people in resolving a conflict can aggravate or complicate the conflict and thus ruin a good relationship.

Third, if all the efforts to resolve the conflict between two believers, both privately and by the intervention of one or two mature believers, fail to yield any good result, then Jesus commanded that the Church should be involved:

The Lord Jesus said, “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church…” (Matt. 18:17 NKJV).

The Church, not the law court, is the last and ultimate port of call in resolving conflicts among God’s people.

Paul sharply rebuked the Christians at Corinth, who took their conflicts to the court of law.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 – NKJV

 1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

It is a shame for a Christian to drag another Christian to the court of law to settle any conflict or dispute.

The Scripture teaches that it is better to accept wrong or be cheated than to drag your fellow Christians before the unbelievers to settle the conflict between you and them.

Paul rebuked the Christians at Corinth for doing this.

1 Corinthians 6:5-7 – NKJV

5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?

 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Finally, the Lord Jesus said, “But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matt. 18:17 NKJV).

What does this mean?

It simply means that while you should forgive and bear no grudge or resentment against the believer who has refused to hear, obey, or submit to the Church’s verdict on the conflict, you should separate yourself from such a person.

It is no longer proper for you to have fellowship with such a person. You should relate with him as you do to an unbeliever!

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14 – NKJV

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Any believer who rejects or despises the Church leadership’s verdict on any conflict brought before the Church has rejected and despised God’s rule and order (Deut. 17:8-10).

Beloved, seek earnestly to pursue peace with all people, but when conflict arises, seek to resolve it promptly, following the guidelines the Lord Jesus has given us in the Scripture.

Moreover, whenever you are called upon to intervene in any conflict between two believers, show no partiality, speak the truth in love, and seek to restore the erring brother/sister in the spirit of meekness (Jam. 2:9, 3:17, Exo. 23:3, Deut. 1:17).  

The Scripture admonishes: 

Galatians 6:1-2 – NKJV

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 2:1 – NKJV

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

Matthew 5:9 – NKJV

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

 

Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me how to pursue peace and resolve conflicts when they arise. Dear Holy Spirit, teach me to follow peace with all people, and when disputes arise, help me to resolve them quickly in Jesus’ ways, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.

Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.

AWH, Blogs.

Share this:

THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

  HOME OF ARTICLES 

“Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33 NKJV)

 

When Peter asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? He quickly suggested, “Up to seven times?”

Peter thought he was very generous in his willingness to forgive his brother seven times in one day.  

But Peter was shocked when the Lord answered him, saying, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matt. 18:22 NKJV).  

Having someone wrong or sin against you 490 times in one day would be impossible. Jesus is simply saying there should be no limit to your forgiveness.

The Lord Jesus further illustrated His answer with the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-25.

The parable is about a servant who owed his master ten thousand talents (about fifteen million dollars), and because he could not pay his debt, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and all he had to be sold.

But when the servant fell and begged his master for patience or more time to pay back, the master was moved with compassion and forgave him of the debt.

What great mercy and forgiveness he received!

Every sin is a debt. This is why the Lord Jesus teaches us to pray thus: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12 NKJV).

We could not settle our huge debts or atone for our sins, yet God forgave us all our sins on account of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

What great mercy and forgiveness we have received!

God did not just forgive our sins or write off our debts; He also chose never to remember them again.

God promised in His Word, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrew. 8:12 NKJV).

Not only did God choose to forgive and forget our sins, but He also chose never to deal with us as our sins deserve. He decided never to treat us as one-time sinners or debtors.

Psalms 103:8-14 – NKJV

 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

According to Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant, after his master has dealt mercifully with him by forgiving him and writing off his debt, the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii (about fifty dollars).

Although his fellow servant fell at his feet and begged him for mercy and patience, he would neither listen nor pardon him. But he took him by the throat and threw him into prison till he would pay the debt.

When the news got to his master, he was furious and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (Matt. 18:32-33 NKJV).

Afterward, the master delivered the wicked servant to the tormentors until he would pay all his debts.

Many believers today suffer unnecessarily at the hands of the tormentors because they would not forgive those who have hurt or wronged them as God has forgiven them.

Among several lessons, the parable of the unforgiving servant teaches us the following vital lessons:

First, it is gross wickedness not to forgive those who sin against us:

The servant who was forgiven his debt but refused to forgive his fellow servant’s debt was described and addressed as “a wicked servant” by his master. 

Matthew 18:32-34 – NKJV

 32 “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

 33 ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

 34 “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

You act as a wicked servant when you refuse to forgive anyone who has wronged, offended, or hurt you, even as God has forgiven you all your sins.

When you refuse to forgive someone who jilted, betrayed, raped, slandered, abused, cursed, or stolen from you, you are nothing different from the person, for you have acted as a wicked and unforgiving person.

Second, forgiveness is an act of love, mercy, or compassion:

This parable reveals that forgiveness is a gift of love or unmerited favor. It is impossible to forgive without possessing a heart full of divine love. Forgiveness is a significant expression of true love. It flows from a loving and compassionate heart.

The Scripture reveals that the master forgave the servant who owed the debt he could not repay because he was moved with compassion.

Matthew 18:27 – NKJV

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Did the servant deserve the forgiveness he received from his master? Not at all!

Did he demand it? Not at all!

Matthew 18:26 – NKJV

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

Although all the servant passionately pleaded for was patience or more time to pay, his master wrote off all his debt, knowing that he would never be able to repay it. Therefore, he needed not to pay anything back.

What a great expression of love and compassion!

Anyone who hurts or betrays you doesn’t deserve your forgiveness; worse still, he may never even admit that he has wronged you or requested forgiveness.

Nevertheless, God expects you to demonstrate to the person who wrongs or hurts you the same love, mercy, and compassion He has shown towards you by forgiving the person from your heart, without reservation or resentment.

What if you choose not to forgive?

Brace yourself to answer God when He asks, “Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (Matt. 18:33 RSV).

The truth is this: forgiveness is costly, though a gift to the recipient or beneficiary.

God’s forgiveness is a gift to us at Christ’s expense!

Our human minds can never comprehend, calculate, or imagine what it cost the Lord Jesus Christ to purchase or procure forgiveness of sins (past, present, and future) for humankind.

Ephesians 1:7-9 – NKJV

 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.

Beloved, whatever it will cost you to forgive anyone who has wronged you is nothing compared to what it costs God to forgive you all your sins.

Therefore, God expects you to forgive freely from your heart, no matter how hurtful or painful you feel. You will surely experience unspeakable joy and peace when you forgive heartily.

Are you still hurting, bitter, and angry against someone who has wronged, offended, betrayed, or exploited you in the past?

Are you presently struggling to forgive someone freely from your heart?

You need a profound revelation of what it costs the Lord Jesus to purchase forgiveness of sins for you!

When you focus on the Lord Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for your sins, you will draw the grace and strength you need to forgive heartily those who wrong or hurt you without any reservation or limitation (Hebrew. 12:1-4).

 Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me of all my sins at the expense of Your Son, Christ Jesus. Help me, Lord Jesus, to demonstrate to those who sin against me the same love, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion that You have shown me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.

Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.

AWH, Blogs.

Share this: