You are a Forgiven King, not an Unforgiving Prisoners

Jesus taught on how the measure of forgiveness that we receive will then enable or hinder us to forgive others:

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." (Lluke 7: 47)

Of course, in the parable of this unmerciful steward (Matthew 18), the unforgiving steward did not get away with anything:

"So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

"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.

"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: 31-35)

to the extent that we do not feel forgiven of all our sins, to that extent that will not forgive others for their trespasses against us. The result will be prison for us as much as prison for those whom we have maintained in bondage, for notice how in the parable the king did not release the second servant from bondage, but put the first servant into bondage.

So, believers, if you choose not to forgive others, it is because you have not yet received the full manifestation of God's forgiveness for you. Paul announced at the outset the immense riches we have received because of God's grace:

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1: 6-7)

This redemption which we have received, we receive according to God's riches, not merely out of his immeasurable storehouse. We are inheritors of great wealth because we have been born again:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8: 15-17)

We are inheritors of an immense kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven, in which we reign in life as kings. Even Paul pointed out the same to the Corinthians:

"Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you." (1 Corinthians 4: 8)

If you struggle with forgiving others, it is because you do not know or believe the immense riches, --- starting with forgiveness of all your sins past, present, and future -- which have been bestowed upon you as a child of God. Know and believe this grand wealth accorded to you, and you will grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18).

Beloved, you do not have to live like a prisoner of unforgiveness. Forgive, because you have been made a king in Christ!