January 17: Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Seven times a day…

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 17:3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Observation: In this verse, Jesus is not speaking to the one sinning. He is not giving permission to repeat the sin seven times a day. Jesus is speaking to the one offended. Healing comes to us as we forgive those who sin against us. And it is so important that even if our brother sins against us seven times in one day, we need to forgive. Forgiveness should be the first step in negating the effects of offences that come our way, especially since Jesus commands it.

Application: I am not given permission to continue sinning. I am being told how I should react when others sin against me.

Prayer: Lord, You are the Great Forgiver and You are with me when I need to forgive! Thank you! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!