LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 18:21-22, 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”.

 

I do not know about you but I believe I am getting close to the number Jesus told Peter. I must be pushing the Lord because of my failures – for the same thing(s)! I give thanks continually in my prayer time that He has not given up on me. Believe me I have made it possible for Him to do so. This is not a “poor me” thought today. I just wonder if you are like me and just do not want to forgive someone who has done something against me when I know the Lord has been so good to forgive me for all I have done.   

 

According to “Rabbinic tradition a brother could be forgiven three times for the same offense, but not four times” (David Jeremiah Study Bible). (I would have been stoned to death long ago if this sill held true!) Peter was really trying to be a strong follower of the Law and suggested to Jesus a brother found to be in sin could be forgiven up to seven times; that is double what the Law said. Obviously, Peter did not expect the response he got from Jesus!

 

Jesus said to forgive “up to seventy times seven”. In Luke 17:4, Jesus gives us a more specific thought about how many times we must forgive. “And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent’, you shall forgive him.” I have waited for individuals to ask for my forgiveness (I repent) for what I have thought they have said about me or done to me. More often than not that does not happen. Is that really a condition to forgive? I have come to the conclusion it is not and have forgiven the person anyway. Don’t misunderstand; that is not easy for me to do. But I have found that removes so much from my mind. It is amazing to me that sometimes I have trouble forgiving the same things Jesus has forgiven me for thinking or doing.

 

It is important for each of us to understand what Jesus is saying to Peter and to us. As Believers in Jesus Christ, trying to walk a narrow way into His kingdom, we have each been forgiven far more than we will ever be asked to forgive. We must develop an attitude of forgiving others instead of keeping track of what they have done! The attitude of forgiving others must become almost second nature in our lives. There is to be no limit to the number of times we forgive others for their words or actions against us. When it is difficult to forgive, ask the One who has forgiven you, to help you. The Bible is clear that Jesus came to earth, experienced the feeling we have and understands what we go through. Trust Him to give you the desire and strength to forgive others even if you are asked to do so seven times in a day.

 

It is also interesting to know that the number seventy signifies perfection – we forgive someone completely! Forgive, put the situation and person in God’s hands and let it go! Oh, I am such a work in progress!