September 28
Scripture: Luke 7:42-43
Source author: Steven Brown
September 28
Forgiven More, Love More “ Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “ I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” —Luke 7:42–43
It’s hard enough to forgive them,” I thought. “How can I possibly love them?” I had sacrificed sleep, pulled strings, done all I could to help this man. Now his family was telling people that all of his problems were my fault. I was shocked, mystified, hurt, and angry. In Matthew 18, Jesus describes a man who owes his king a huge sum of money that he cannot repay. He begs the king for mercy. Feeling compassion for him, the king cancels his debt. As the forgiven man leaves the palace, he sees a fellow subject who owes him a much smaller sum. Ignoring his pleas for mercy, the man casts his fellow subject into debtor’s prison. The king is outraged and reinstitutes his debt. I cannot repay the debt I owe God. My sin killed His Son. When God embraces the cost of my sin, how can I angrily reject those who hurt me? Understanding God’s decision to love me inspires me to forgive—and even love—my accusers.
False accusations against us should be reminders of God’s love for us. — Steven Brown —