Many Christians believe in God’s grace that freely justified them and made right with God. What they are willfully ignorant is that God will reverse His grace if we forgot to show His compassion and commit iniquity.

Not By Works but by Grace

Ref: freebibleimages.org

Matt 18:23-27 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

The servant was unable to pay his debt. He cannot do anything to redeem himself from that situation and began pleading with the King. It is the King’s mercy which saved the servant having been justified by the King’s unmerited favor. Just like the servant in the parable, we cannot do anything ourselves for getting right with God but justified by His grace. We are washed in His blood and made righteous. This is God’s grace which Paul preached so that we don’t go back to the law of Moses or the Old Covenant to do the works of the law but have faith in Christ and invite Him into our hearts and He will cleanse us from all our unrighteousness with His own blood. For by grace we are saved through faith, not of ourselves but it is a free gift of God.

Reflect God’s Compassion

Matt 18:28-30 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

The servant who was made right through the King’s unmerited favor, walked freely with all his debt written off. Imagine if the servant never had any debt with the King and the conversation with the King never happened:

• Can the King’s servant settle accounts with his fellow servants? Yes
• Did the King’s servant had the authority to punish his fellow servant who didn’t pay his debt? Yes

This is because, as we assumed the King’s servant had no debt to pay to anyone. However, the King’s servant did had a massive debt which was written off by the King. So, why did the King’s servant who was made right through the King’s unmerited favor suddenly lost that favor when he settled accounts with fellow servants which he had authority to do so?

Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Rev 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

God is righteous and all must give account to Him and everyone will be judged according to their works because we all owe Him for there is none righteous before Him. If we had done any sin, we are guilty of that sin and no one can redeem us from that sin. But through God’s grace, He sent His own Son to die on the cross to pay our debts and redeemed us from death. Having redeemed from death and washed our sins with Christ’s blood, we are made righteous with God and set free. After we are set free, we must not settle account with those who sin against us but forgive them all. While God is righteous and have all authority to either punish or forgive his debtors, we are not righteous on our own but made righteous through God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ.

Heb 10:30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.”

We cannot punish those who sin against us but leave the vengeance and judgment to God.

God’s Grace is Reversible

Matt 18:31-35 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

What happened to that grace of the King which justified His servant? Was he not made right with the King? Many Christians who are made righteous think they can commit iniquity and still be right with God because they cannot do anything to earn His grace which is a free gift. What they are willfully ignorant is that God will reverse His grace if they forget to seek His righteousness and not commit iniquity on those who sin against them.

Conclusion

The unmerited favor of the King who freely justified His servant and written off his debt was brought back and punished when he didn’t do the same to his fellow servant because he didn’t remember how he was made righteous and committed iniquity only to find the King reversed His grace.