SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
OBSERVATION: I am thinking that Peter must have been proud of himself to suggest that he should forgive seven times. In practice, people may forgive one or two times, maybe three—but Peter was suggesting seven times. Seven would be quite a stretch for most people.
But as magnanimous as seven would seem, it does not even come close to Jesus’ requirements.
APPLICATION: Was Jesus speaking in extremes just to make a point that it is important to forgive? I do not think so. Why? Because that is the way Jesus has treated me. He has forgiven me seventy-seven times… and even more!
I believe He wants forgiveness to become a major part of my life. In my strength, this is impossible, but I now have the Great Forgiver living inside of me. He not only forgives me, but also helps me to forgive others! He tells me that I must forgive if I want Him to forgive me (Matthew 6:14-15). The Holy Spirit is developing the character of Jesus in me.
PRAYER: Lord, I depend on you to help me forgive. Help forgiveness to become a part of my character. Amen
Pastor Leon
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