"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants, When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents, And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, "Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, 'until he should pay all his debt,' So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18: 21-35 ESV
So we in effect want everything that is owed to us....or everything that we perceive to be owed to us? When I look back at my life....particularly but not exclusively the first five years in my twenties....this is not easy to do by the way....and I think of the debt incurred....and the trespasses...."and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"....ESV....."And forgeve vs oure treaspases eve as we forgeve oure trespacers." (Tyndale Bible...Matthew 6:12)....I can at times barely lift my head from humiliation. We in America....and in evangelicalism today....are fast becoming that....Unforgiving Servant.
It would be good for us to remember that when Israel defeated Jericho....that they followed God's commands in the victory.....circling the city....but there were other commands....after the victory....as the....silver and gold and bronze and iron spoils....were to go into the...."Treasury of the LORD." Achan kept some of it for himself....and the Israelites were summarily defeated at Ai. We have over the many years....accepted the blessings that God has given to us....but now it is as if we want everything for ourselves....America first....and even....America only. We are celebrating the walls coming down....while carrying out the gold and silver. Maybe AI....will be our Ai.
