Forgiveness

What is forgiveness? What does it mean to be forgiven?
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Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 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.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me that thou owest."

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

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: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
(Matthew 18:23-35)
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What did it mean to the first servant that he had been forgiven? It meant that he no longer was required to repay that which he owed. It meant he could walk out as a free man. It meant he was not bound under his former obligation.

What would it have meant to the second servant to have been forgiven? It would have meant the same thing-- that he would no longer be a borrower who was in danger of being thrown into debtor's prison.

What happened to the first servant when he refused to live according to the forgiveness he had received? He (and his wife, children, and possessions) was not merely sold , as would have been the case in the beginning. He was far worse off than he would have been otherwise. Not simply because he owed a debt that he could not repay, but because he had abused the grace and compassion that the lord had given to him.

What if we do not extend the same forgiveness and mercy to others, as God has extended it to us? Hmm?

Also, forgiveness and repentance are inextricably linked. Both servants repented and expressed their intention to repay their debt, that is, their intention to change their ways. One servant was in fact forgiven, the other servant clearly ought to have been forgiven (had the first servant been honourable). But if neither of them had pleaded that they would change their ways, they would both still have been in debt. Is not this like God's kingdom? God doesn't grant forgiveness without confession and repentance on our part, so as to make us free to do evil. But at the same time, God does not wait for us to prove ourselves before He grants forgiveness-- God doesn't predicate his forgiveness on some works of righteousness or compassion we do that show Him that we deserve His grace. Does He require us to be righteous and compassionate? Absolutely. Just like the lord in the parable, God requires us to live according to the grace He has given us, but He requires it after He extends grace to us.

And also, what if there is no definite object or substance that is owed? What if there is a more intangible wrongdoing involved; for example, me lying to you? There is no "debt" for me to repay. How then does forgiveness work? What does it mean for you to forgive me? What changes-- on my part and on your part?