When we were children we played games like hide-and-seek.
The “seeker” would count to ten and call out “ready or not, here I come” and
then rush out to find those who were hiding. Once the “seeker” reached “10”
there was no chance if we had not found a place to hide. Our best chance was to
outrun the seeker to “base” and hope we could avoid being caught. Games are fun….but
they aren’t life.
There are several times in the Gospel when Jesus tells us
exactly what is going to happen when He returns to judge the world. “The
Kingdom of heaven is like…” and Jesus clearly describes what will take place.
This week He says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to
settle accounts with his servants.” (Matthew 18.23) We can almost hear Jesus
calling “Ready or not, here I come.”
Obviously life isn’t a game, and once Jesus returns to judge
it will be too late to make good on all the promises we have made to forgive
and love others. In the Gospel the master, “was angry, and delivered him to the
torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.” (Matthew 18.34) Just
how do we think He will deal with us?
When Jesus returns to judge the world we each will have to
give an account of how we have forgiven others who sin against us. If we refuse
to forgive others who sin against us, then the Father will not forgive us. He
says very clearly, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you,
from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18.35)
Life isn’t a game…it’s about forgiveness.
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