FORGIVESpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Today, if you forgive your fellowmen, than all your unanswered prayers will be answered today. How did the pardoned debtor behave? As he was going back from the king’s place he saw one of his friend who owed him a hundred denarii (a sum of about ten thousand rupees). While his boss had graciously forgiven him ten hundred thousand rupees, he caught hold of his friend’s throat and throttled him saying, “Give me back the money.” That man pleaded saying, “Sir! Please have patience. I will give it back to you.” But the pardoned debtor not being convinced with his friend’s plea; threw him in prison. When his boss who had forgiven him heard about this incident, he told his servants, “Bring back the unforgiving debtor whom I pardoned” and handing him over to a band of tormentors said, “Torment him until he pays back all the dues.”
The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion,.. (Proverbs 19:12) As messengers of death is the king's wrath.. (Proverbs 16:14)
My dear Friend, in the Bible, after saying this parable Jesus concludes that if you do not forgive your fellowmen wholeheartedly the same thing will happen to you. (Matt 18:35) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
If God does not forgive our sins where would we stand? Our prayers will be unanswered. Many times we say that many people in the church, prayer groups, pastors, servants of God and others have fasted and prayed for me but nothing has happened. Perhaps your own sins are blocking your blessings. Your unforgiving nature is blocking the way to a prosperous life. Today remove every stumbling block by searching your life.
Years ago I was preparing for a prayer festival like this. It is customary that I fast and pray before going for a crusade. Jesus Christ would appear and say, “Come on Son! Let us go!” Only after receiving His word I would proceed. Just like that, I kept praying for Jesus Christ to appear and anoint me but He did not appear at all. I humbled myself and cried unto Him. Then the Holy Spirit showed me an incident that had happened several years earlier.
The episode is like this: “I had once helped a pastor who also loved me very dearly. He said, “Son! Anytime when you are in trouble do drop at my house and I will take care of you”. Once I was in great trouble. Trusting his words, I took my wife along with me and visited his house. To my utter bewilderment, he treated me exactly like a dog. For one week we stayed in his house and during that time I was shattered beyond expression. After a week I shook his hands, thanked him but with much bitterness I told him, “I will never come again.” The Holy Spirit showed me this scene. It was as if God was asking me “Dhinakaran! You are going to preach about My love to millions but you have no such love in your heart. It’s full of bitterness.” I broke down and cried. I said, “Lord! My bitterness is justifiable but if that’s going to be a block in bringing the blessing to the people I will write a letter and ask him to pardon me. Please send Your anointing upon me.” The Lord answered my prayer and performed mighty miracles in that city where the meeting was held.
My dear Friend you may be a born again or a saved person but have you forgiven or do you still harbour some bitterness in your heart? You may have the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, anointing of the Holy Spirit and perhaps say, “I can drive away every evil power”. Yet, deep down in your heart you may murmur, cry and question, “Why God is not answering my prayer?” Check up your heart today. There may be some bitterness somewhere because you have not forgiven someone. Forgive today. Then God will surely bless you. Why should this bitterness stand between you and God? Forgive today. God will then answer all your unanswered prayers.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I admit that it is very difficult to forgive my fellowmen particularly when it appears that I am justifiable. Please give me the virtue of forgiving my fellowmen. Remove all bitterness that are blocking my way from receiving the blessings that You have in store for me. May all the unanswered prayers I have till this day be answered in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Bless me this day and prosper all my efforts.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen |