Scripture:
"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
Reflection:
Forgive?
490 times? Lord, isn't that a bit unreasonable?
Forgiveness
is not always easy. Sure, it is easier for some than others, and some
offenses are, understandably, easier to forgive than others. But that
doesn't nullify the necessity for us to forgive. Forgiveness doesn't
minimize or excuse the wrongdoing, but it frees us from any sense of
retaliation and releases the wrongdoer from our hearts and minds so
we don't become angry and bitter. When we get to that point, it
affects all those around us, not just the one who wronged us. In
fact, very often the offender is not even aware there was ever a
problem. When we fail or even refuse to forgive, we are the ones who
suffer the most. Not only does it continually eat at us, but it
jeopardizes our relationship with the Lord.
God has
forgiven us much. Wrongs committed against us, regardless of how
serious, are minimal in comparison to our sins against a holy God.
As a forgiven people, we should be a forgiving people.
Oh, and
that 490 times? We get to start all over again tomorrow.
Prayer:
Father,
you have been so forgiving of us. We often offend your holiness and
fall short of what you've called us to be and do, and yet you forgive
us time and time again. Grant us forgiving hearts toward those who
have sinned against us. Remind us, Lord, that we who have been freely
forgiven at the expense of your Son, are to freely dispense the
forgiveness we have received from you. Lord, though this is
difficult, with you all things are possible. With gratefully forgiven
hearts we pray. Amen.
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