In this episode of the Gary Wilkerson Podcast, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West dive into the heart of forgiveness with an insightful discussion on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 18. This episode serves as a compelling guide for anyone seeking to navigate the intricacies of forgiveness in their faith and life, reminding listeners of the profound impact forgiveness has on both the giver and the receiver.
Everything and everyone that God has created is touched by his mercy. We can think of this aspect of God’s nature in a narrow sense, but it truly affects everything.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Jacob received an incredible revelation through a face-to-face encounter with God: “Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Genesis 32:30, NKJV). What was the circumstance surrounding this revelation? It was the lowest, scariest point in Jacob’s life. At the time, Jacob was caught between two powerful forces: his angry father-in-law, Laban, and his estranged brother, Esau.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Jesus tells a crowd of Pharisees and religious people around him, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:14-16, ESV).
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
