“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ”
— Matthew 18:21 – 22
Peter shows what we all feel at times. While we love the mercy and forgiveness God gives us on a daily basis, we resent having to forgive other people, especially when they do the same thing over and over. Does Jesus mean we have to forgive seventy-seven times — and then we can clobber the offender? No, he’s making a point: we need to forgive over and over, just as God forgives us daily. Forgiveness is a gift given to those who don’t deserve it.
Every day, people do things that hurt us. Your forgetful grandmother thought your birthday was next month and missed it today. Your best friend has to cancel your movie date to do her homework. A bully at school calls you a mean name.
Galatians 6:2 (AMP) says we need to “bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults.” It’s easier to endure other people’s faults when we realize how many we have ourselves. Instead of becoming bitter, be gentle and quick to forgive.
Give the gift of forgiveness to someone you know today.
More to Explore: Luke 17:3 – 4
Girl Talk: Have you been hurt by someone you care about? How are you dealing with it? Have you forgiven that person?
God Talk: “Thank you for forgiving all my sins, Lord. Help me to be a forgiving person too. Amen.”
From No Boys Allowed by Kristi Holl