The first is Matthew 18:21-35. I drew attention
to this parable in an earlier article as an example of why mercy is unwanted. Now
I want to unpack it more precisely.
Observe the following:
First: Neither debtor asked for mercy. They
asked for patience and more time. The second debtor’s motives are not addressed.
He is not the focus of the story. However, we are given enough information to
suspect some things about the first debtor whose obligation was enormous and,
probably, was impossible. Accruing such a debt load could speak of poor
financial management, addiction to instant gratification, and greed.
Second: The forgiveness of the debt was mercy
(translated “compassion”) in the eye of the master. However, the servant shows no
indication of an awareness of mercy. Indeed, he may have considered himself one
“lucky” fellow who just got a free pass to go on a shopping spree by collecting
money he had loaned to someone else. To the Apostle Paul’s question, “Shall we
continue in sin that grace may abound?” this man’s answer would be, “Yes, of
course.”
Third: Since the servant did not consider
himself a recipient of mercy, he saw no reason to show mercy. Therefore, the
master treated him as one who did not acknowledge the mercy shown and, therefore, withdrew his offer.
This may have significant implications for a “gospel” which offers a salvation
by grace without underscoring the need for mercy. There is a difference between
wanting to get off the hook and acknowledging the real guilt which hung us
there.
Your last statement seems to really hit on what true repentance is all about. Many "religious" people certainly do want some fire insurance, or an escape from God's wrath justly due to them, (and I was one of them) but those who truly experience God's mercy are those who have been broken over the guilt and shame of their sin. While the lost world attempts in every way to negate any sense of guilt, that's what drives us to our Savior.
ReplyDeleteSpot on!
ReplyDelete