Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.
Quickword: The Spirit To Forgive….
Have you ever had one of those days where everybody worked your nerves? I’m talking about one of those days when you were prayed up but before you left home your spouse or children worked your nerves. One of those days when you were cut off in traffic by someone on their phone. One of those days when you were given additional work because someone else didn’t get it done. One of those days when someone you trusted betrayed you, one of those days when you were lied on, one of those days when your forgiveness tank ran dry. I think that’s where we find Peter in our quickword, Peter went to Jesus and asked how many time will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go. Peter is the discipline I relate to the most, it’s Peter who would tell you where to go and cut you if necessary, don’t judge me, I’m not the only one like Peter. Peter says Lord should I forgive up to seven times and Jesus responds to Peter by saying seventy times seven meaning unlimited. I know many of us are at our forgiveness limit but I want to suggest the following:
- Like Peter when our forgiveness tank is running low, take it to Jesus
- When faced with the task of forgiveness, show mercy to others as God has been merciful unto us
- When we have been wronged, Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]( James 1:9 Amplified )
Dear God in Heaven, please be with us as we go through this day. God I ask that you give us the spirit to forgive those who will sin against us intentionally and unintentionally. God forgive us as in our humanity, we will sin against others and need forgiveness. God, thank you for your Grace that is sufficient and your Mercy that lasts forever. Let our light shine before the world today that we may serve as a living testimony of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We ask even now that you forgive us of our sins in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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