The Scripture says blood is what atones for sin, that blood cleanses sin, makes it possible for remission(Lev 16-17, Hebrews 9). Forgiveness is the exact opposite of payment.

Sye’s example can be refuted because it’s not biblical. If I give the same type of example. If you bought a house on mortgage, and you owe $250,000. You go down to the mortgage company and they want the payment in full, right there or you lose the house. You’re unable to pay. But then a friend comes in from that same mortgage company across state lines and offers to pay your debt off in full… you’d be glad, you’d be gracious, but the mortgage was not forgiven/remitted/released. If the man who demanded your full mortgage payment turned and said “Your debt is forgiven.”–you’d laugh, why? Because it was not forgiven. There was absolutely no mercy on the part of the mortgage person. The debt was paid, in full.

Even worse, if the mortgage company tried to call you back a week later and said you owe them the debt—you’d have to laugh again. Why? It was paid. There’s nothing to owe.

Now we turn to the parable of the unmerciful servant of Matthew 18. The main point of this parable is to prove to believers(as Jesus was talking to the disciples) that they must forgive their brothers, otherwise the Father will not forgive them. Jesus said this is how God will treat us, if we do not forgive.

The servant’s debt was not paid–it was forgiven, released. If his payment was paid(by anyone)–it would not have been able to be demanded of him again and he be thrown in prison. If the servants debt was paid, it was not forgiven.

Take note that forgiveness and payment are mutually exclusive. One is the Gospel according to Scripture, according to the shadow of the Law which Jesus fulfilled.. and the other is according to man-made ideals imposed upon certain words of Scripture while ignoring others.

I hope you have ears to hear.

And man, can I relate to the lyrics.