OPEN HEAVENS FOR SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2019 – RECIPROCATE GOD’S BENEVOLENCE

Memorise: Luke 7:47

 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 18:23-35 (KJV)

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.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 8, Ezekiel 47:1-17

Experience has shown that people who receive kindness from God and man sometimes turn out to be terrible tyrants. Some people who were delivered from the jaws of death by God’s benevolence and mercy in the past have become takers of lives. Such people forget that as recipients of God’s mercy, much more is expected from them.

They are like the wicked servant in today’s Bible reading, whose debt to his master was so great that the master knew there was no way he could pay it, and so forgave him out of compassion. In Matthew 18:28, the Lord describes what this servant did after he was released from prison, saying:

“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.”

Also Read: Open Heaven 7 September 2019 – Living Faith

As if that was not enough, this wicked and inconsiderate man put his fellow servant in jail until he got his money back. Some of us might cringe in horror at this awful attitude, but the question is, are we not doing the same thing against our fellow human beings, even in the household of faith? Many of us would have died if God were to repay us according to our sins, but thank God for His mercies.

Are we however showing the same level of mercy to those we have authority over or within our sphere of influence? Are we not seeking vengeance on those who have wronged us in one way or the other? The story of what the wicked servant did got to the master and, in annoyance, he revoked the pardon he had given the wicked servant, casting him back into prison. In Matthew 18:35, our Lord Jesus Christ concludes the story thus:

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

We became children of God when He forgave our sins. We should therefore not find it difficult to forgive those who offend us, knowing that if we had not been forgiven, we would have been in a sorry state. Having been relieved of our heavy load of sin through forgiveness, let us also forgive at all times. However, if you have not received forgiveness of your sins, it may be that you have not repented of them. Repent today, and you will receive the joy of being forgiven.

Prayer Point:

Father, please grant me grace to show love and mercy to fellow human beings, especially at difficult times, and help me not to disappoint You in this regard.

Open Heaven 8 September 2019 Sunday Hymn:

Let Others See Jesus In You

1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens Devotional is one of the most wildly read devotionals in the world.
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