Note for 20250612 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 137 - Mat 18 - Forgiveness
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
According to Matthew
Part 137 - Mat 18 - Forgiveness
Matthew 18:1-35 KJV
[1] At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, [3] and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [7] Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! [8] Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. [9] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. [10] Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. [11] For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. [12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. [14] Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. [15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. [18] Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. [21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. [23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But 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. [26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [28] But 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. [29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. [31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. [32] 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: [33] shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? [34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.18.1-35.KJV
Note for 20250612
Forgiveness
Today, the focus is on the entire chapter. It all works together with the concept of forgiveness and it ties to what Jesus said about becoming like little children, trusting in your Father in Heaven. We have looked at the close link between trust and faith, and as believers in Jesus Christ, and doers of what He instructed, we have become like little children. But, not us alone, also all those that rely on our Father in Heaven and believe in Jesus Christ, His Son. The famous, lost sheep parable is used to carry over the message, and forgiveness is portrayed by the parable of the wicked servant. This also traces back to Matthew 6, to The Lord’s Prayer, and how we will be forgiven as we forgive.
At this time, it would be wise to consider your own conduct, as one forgiven by grace, for what Christ has done on the cross for us. Why keep a grudge in your heart? If you find one among you that does not find it in his heart to forgive, should you not consider him as one of the lost sheep of GOD? Remember, at some point you were lost too, like a slave in another land, oppressed on every side. You know the demands this world places on those who belong to it, how it gives an illusion of peace, but how troubled you can be at night. For you were lost, but now you are found. Why add to the burdens of your brother?
But, this chapter also instructs how to deal with those who will not repent, doesn't it? It also speaks on how to deal with those members that impede your salvation. The initial contact is to be done privately, which most of us have neglected, going straight over to warning the congregation against the behavior. However, while it may serve to guard the congregation (99 sheep) what of the lost? Is gossip a righteous matter? It is a serious matter, because just as an arm or an eye can lead the whole body to perish, a little leaven can affect the whole lump of dough. False teachings can be a stumbling block in the way of one of these little ones Christ sat down in the midst of His disciples. Understand? So, just as the arm or leg, a member of the congregation that remains unrepentant can affect the entire body, just as we have seen with all the false doctrine that is active in our churches. We should never say, "I don't care." This is our family, our brethren for eternity, who should be closer to us than a blood relative.
With great care we should deal with the matter of one that causes discord amongst the congregation, and while giving the opportunity to repent, we should not leave one that harms others amongst us. Paul had an incident in Corinth that speaks to this matter and he wrote on that, and left us a verse that is hard for many to understand or receive.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 KJV
[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.5.1-5.KJV
Friends, even the world recognizes the crime of harbouring a criminal, even those that are wicked can see the harm in that. In Paul's case here, it was a son that uncovered the nakedness of his father. (Remember, the wife's nakedness belongs to the husband and vice versa.) So, it was a major transgression of the Law, and as it appears here, the congregation was standing in some protection of the son. Sometimes, we need to get out of the way, so GOD can work His wonder with a person to bring their soul into redemption. If one remains unrepentant, he does not find the error or the consequence of his deeds, delaying his moment or even withholding his moment of repentance.
Now, to lose an arm, it is flesh, it will remain in the dust when the soul is redeemed, but a member of the church must be troubled in the flesh to steer him to repentance. We all know how GOD came to our rescue when we were in great trouble, don't we? We cried out from our disparity and the LORD saved us. Shall we withhold that moment from another? With caution I state it like this: The Light of Jesus Christ is often seen best out of a place of darkness. See to it that you do not cast someone out before consulting the congregation, approach not the congregation, before first taking one with you as a witness to urge your brother to repent of his wicked way. Christ makes the method quite clear here in this chapter.
Now, today, many are dealing with a greater measure of this. Some find themselves in congregations that are well leavened already, having adopted the false doctrines of men. What to do in such a case? Much the same. You go to the shepherd of that congregation, if he will not hear you, then you take a witness. Failing you bring the matter to another congregation, and if still unrepentant and uncorrected, you remove yourself from such a congregation and join another that speaks the Truth of Christ Jesus, less that leaven affect you too, and you are lost with them, forever. Do not think that GOD will not move against the house that promotes abominations. And if no pure congregation can be found, you go to your inner closet to plead with GOD.
There are many of you that have struggled with this of late. Know this; the great falling away is underway. If a congregation can promote that which GOD hates, then they have fallen away. Give that congregation to the Lord to deal with. To separate the sheep from the goats. Understand?
Selah, Shalom
(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App
Psalm 30:5 KJV
[5] For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.30.5.KJV
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