FORGIVENESS HAS NO LIMIT
Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
We all have people who cause issues in our lives, repeatedly hurt or mistreat us. The last thing we want to do is forgive them.
Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22
Peter had a similar concern, so he asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone. Peter thought he was being generous when he added, Seven times, and the Jewish law required that you only forgive a person three times. So Peter thought, doubling that and throwing in one more for good measure. But Jesus said there is no limit.
Jesus said that if we keep score, we are missing the point. If we are counting, then it does not count. Jesus seems to give an impossible command to keep forgiving no matter what.
God has forgiven our sins and wants us to forgive other people.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
The key to forgiveness is recognizing how much God forgives us daily. When we feel forgiven, we are going to be forgiving.
Resentment is a self-inflicted wound that makes us miserable and tortures us.
One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure; His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist. Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:23-25
We need to learn to forgive because resentment will ruin our lives. When we fail to forgive, we lock ourselves in anger and anxiety, and we rehearse the hurt repeatedly until it gets bigger and bigger and continues to hurt us long after it has happened.
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the hurt and anger and sets you free. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Forgiveness is instant and unearned, but trust must be earned and is not instant.
Who do you need to forgive today?
Heavenly Father, If I should have known or unknown unforgiveness in my heart, I ask for Your forgiveness and the help of Your Holy Spirit as I obey Your command and forgive. You never said life would be easy, but You did say You would always be there and give me the strength. I will call upon You in any trouble, and I know You are always there to help. I live by faith, I walk by faith, and I forgive by faith. You live in me, and I will show others You. Thank You, Father. In Jesus name, Amen.
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God Has Forgiven Our Sins And Wants Us To Forgive Other People.
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