Many who study the Bible understand the truth in the Word concerning God’s forgiveness as follows: God will forgive you, 
no matter what you’ve done, and once He has “saved” you, you are forever His child even if you choose to act as if you were not. Have you ever heard the catch phrase, “Once saved, always saved?” A study in the Bible brings such a belief into doubt.
Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past (40-Minute Bible Studies)
Is forgiveness permanent?
A study of the Bible passage from the New Testament in Matthew chapter eighteen seems to reveal otherwise. Those who study the Bible recognize the parable that begins in verse 21 (see below for the full text).
Forgiveness: Making Peace with the Past (Lifeguide Bible Studies)
The parable
In these verses from the Bible, a man owes his lord a certain large sum of money. When he begs for patience, his lord forgives the man of his debt. When the man who has been forgiven refuses to forgive another, his lord finds out about it and revokes the forgiveness that had been previously extended to him.
A study of the Bible shows that the man who had previously been forgiven has now been delivered to the tormentors until he repays the full amount of the original debt, a condition that presumably can never be met.
Revoked forgiveness?
The parable and the application is quite clear as spoken by Jesus Himself in this study in the Bible: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
So, tell me then, what do you think? This servant was forgiven, then is unforgiven. Is the only way to get unforgiven a refusal to forgive another who asks it of you, or are there other ways to get unforgiven? Or, maybe, this servant really isn’t unforgiven and there’s some other interpretation that shows that this man’s soul continues to be secure in salvation?
Truth in the Word
Matthew 18:21-35 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
The price of sin demanded
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Forgiveness granted
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
A bad example
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Accountability
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Forgiveness lost
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
It can happen to you
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
No comments yet.