Forgiven and Loved

We've been told to forgive others up to seventy-seven times, right? Then why is it so hard for us? Through my small group's study of The Search for Significance by Robert McGee, I am experiencing some revelations about just how crucial forgiveness is for us to walk in abundant life with Christ. Here's the parable that got me thinking today:

Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Um, whoa. If I hold onto unforgiveness, that is some pretty harsh treatment! Why is forgiveness so important? I've read this parable before, but this time, something new struck me. The master cancelled the ENTIRE debt for the servant when all the servant asked for was time to repay it. I forget how tremendous the cost actually was.  He gave His life so that I would be forgiven and have new life.  But instead of staying focused on this unbelievable gift I don't deserve, I irrationally stay focused on what's in it for me. Isn't that how our relationship with God goes? We throw up these requests to him. Oftentimes they are self-centered, or focused on earthly desires. And what does He do? He gave us and continues to give us so much more than we ever expected to receive. In His will, of course, not our own.

So, after receiving such love, such UNDESERVED love, why is it so hard for us to give the same forgiveness and compassion to those who have wronged us? I see so much hatred and judgement toward others. It is rooted in those things that are apart of living in a temporary, fallen world. It might stem from feelings fostered toward someone with political or belief-system differences who denounces your way of life.  Someone could have gossiped about you, betrayed you, lied to you, or showed hatred toward you. But God called you to love your enemies. That is one sure way to shine His love. Who wouldn't notice that kind of love? Forgive and love despite differences, despite wrongdoing, and despite hurt feelings. He calls us to forgive and love as much as we have been forgiven and loved.  What a visible way to reflect the image of our Savior.