“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” Matthew 18:33.

No one walks this journey of life alone; and it is just nice to be nice. The spiritual seeds that we sow in the life of others of kindness, mercy, compassion, good-will and love…are sure to find their way back in our own lives by the grace of God. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7.

The Law of Reciprocity, also known as the Law of Sowing and Reaping, is defined as receiving something because of what we give or do. The Bible makes it clear that we might receive from others the same as we give, such as mercy; or we just might not receive in kind … however, our hearts and minds should be on following the word of the Lord “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”. Matthew 5:44-45.

It behooves us to be careful in our motives and actions when dealing with others. In the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus teaches His disciples a lesson on being humble and forgiving to one another. He shares a parable, that He associates with the kingdom of Heaven. “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.” Matthew 18:23.

The king required that one of his servants repay the ten thousand talents that he owed him, unfortunately the servant did not have the amount to pay the debt. The king sentenced him, his wife, his children, and all that he had would be sold to repay the debt. The servant pleaded with the king to have mercy on him, and he would repay the debt. The lord of the servant was moved with compassion for him and let him go. “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:27.

How wonderful the analogy is going at this juncture; but it certainly does not end there; the servant with an unforgiving heart turned around, found one of his own servants and mercilessly required payment of a debt owed him, with absolutely no compassion; and when his lord was told what he had done, he was recalled before the king and delivered over into the hands of the tormentors. “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: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.” Matthew 18:32-34.

How are you living with others today; does your heart lean more towards forgiveness, compassion, and grace- even to those who may offend you? And unfortunately, there are those who choose to display a lukewarm attitude towards others “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:” Matthew 5:38. But this is not the way of godly love and forgiveness.

Our Heavenly Father forgives us of our offenses, and we are to do the same towards our fellowman. The scripture lesson in Matthew chapter 18 ends with these words of warning: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:35.

Let us pray to have hearts of compassion, being careful of how we treat others, preferring to be conduits of God’s love, mercy, and amazing grace to all we meet along this journey of life. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount admonishes us “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31; in so doing we are setting ourselves up for forgiveness, innumerous blessings, and a closer walk with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who humble Himself as a servant and gave His very life for the sins of the entire world!

May God’s blessings of peace, grace, and compassion cover us all.