God Condemns an Unforgiving Spirit by R. T. Kendall

Austin Gardner • February 3, 2023

God help us have the right spirit

 Another excerpt from R. T. Kendall's book. I think you would enjoy reading this book.

******************

“If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins,” Jesus said. Why do you suppose God so hates an unforgiving spirit? There are three reasons.


1. It shows an indifference to the greatest thing God did.


This “greatest thing” was God sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins. To be forgiven is the most wonderful thing in the world. But in order to forgive us, God paid a severe price. I predict that when we get to heaven we will be able to see, little by little, what it meant for God to send His Son to die on a cross. We now only see the tip of the iceberg. We see waves of glory, and these overcome us, but we’ve seen little. God did for us what we did not deserve. He therefore wants us to pass this on to others who don’t deserve it.


2. We interrupt God’s purpose in the world: reconciliation.


God loves reconciliation. He has given the ministry of reconciliation to us, and He wants it to continue. When we are forgiven, He wants us to pass it on. When we interrupt that, He doesn’t like it at all. He sent His Son to die on a cross, effectually calling us by His grace and giving us total forgiveness. But we interrupt that flow by not passing it on.


3. God hates ingratitude.


God knows the sins for which He has forgiven us, and He loves a grateful response. Matthew 18 relates the story of a servant who owed a great debt. He fell on his knees before his creditor, his master, and said, “Be patient and I will pay you back everything.” The master took pity on him, canceling the debt and letting him go. The master knew the things for which he had forgiven his servant. But then that same servant went out and found one of his own servants who owed him a much smaller amount; he grabbed the man and began to choke him, saying, “Pay back what you owe!” The fellow servant did exactly what he himself had done; he fell on his knees and said, “Please forgive me. I will pay you back.” But the one who had been forgiven a much greater debt refused to extend forgiveness, and he threw his servant into prison. To think there could be such ingratitude! Word eventually reached the original master, and the unforgiving servant was also thrown into debtor’s prison.


 R. T. Kendall, Total Forgiveness: When Everything in You Wants to Hold a Grudge, Point a Finger, and Remember the Pain - God Wants You to Lay It All aside (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010).


By Austin Gardner June 12, 2024
A wonderful historical story that will teach us a great deal. 
By Austin Gardner June 11, 2024
Maximizing Growth, Overcoming Limits, and Achieving Excellence Through Effective Coaching 
By Austin Gardner June 10, 2024
We need policies and control mechanisms but must learn not to rely on them exclusively. They undermine the very essence of a thriving workplace.
By Austin Gardner June 9, 2024
Navigating the World with an Open Heart and a Servant's Spirit 
By Austin Gardner June 8, 2024
Your friends have left you. All earthly possessions are gone. Those you thought love you want you dead. What do you do? 
By Austin Gardner June 7, 2024
Appreciating Your Past, Present, and Future 
By Austin Gardner June 6, 2024
Starting in Mexico and continuing till today 
By Austin Gardner June 5, 2024
Gratitude, a sentiment often tucked away in the recesses of our hearts, possesses the transformative power to enrich not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
By Austin Gardner June 4, 2024
In January of 1987 Betty, the kids, and I arrived in Querétaro, Mexico to study Spanish. I literally didn’t know ten words. I am forever indebted to Georgia, Hermana Luisa, Webb for the language institute she ran for many years. She was strict. She pushed hard. Betty cried on more than one occasion. Without the challenge I know that I never would have learned the language. The language school gave me structure, discipline, help learning what to do next. Read the rest of the letter then go watch this video the BBF did of Miss Webb. When you get this letter, Lord willing, Betty and I will be in Mexico and we will be visiting this wonderful godly lady. I thought of this lady often over the years. I remembered how hard she had been on me. I remembered being tortured it seemed but I survived Hermana Luisa and she made me a thriving missionary.  Thank you Hermana Luisa for helping a red neck Tennessee hillbilly learn enough Spanish to do some ministry. God bless you. So know that language school might be very beneficial for you. Efficient Resource Utilization: Organized lesson plans and materials ensure learners make the most of their study time, covering essential language elements in a coherent manner. Clear Learning Objectives: Well-organized courses outline clear learning objectives, helping learners understand what to expect and what is expected of them. Resource Accessibility: Organized language schools provide learners with easy access to a variety of resources, including textbooks, multimedia materials, and language software.
Georgia Webb, Queretaro, Mexico
By Austin Gardner April 12, 2024
Austin Gardner believes hearing about Georgia Webb will bless you. How does Georgia Webb's legacy inspire missionaries today? Explore her impact on global missions and find your place in God's plan. Tune in! #MissionsLegacy #EmpowerEvangelism #FaithJourney
More Posts