Hostility between members of a family, a community, or even between friends can result in frustration, emotional pain, and turmoil. The antidote to such disharmony is forgiveness, which often leads to peace, harmony, unity and acceptance. But forgiveness can be difficult when the same people repeatedly cause disunity through their hurtful actions and their words.
The question is often asked, and with good reason: “Is there a limit to how many times one must forgive another person before a line is drawn?”
The apostle Peter thought so. He asked Jesus if the magic number was, “seven times.”
The rabbis taught that a person, who had been wronged was to forgive the perpetrator, two, or perhaps three times, at the most. So Peter felt noble and generous, and forgiving in asking, “Should I forgive him seven times?”
He was probably shocked when he heard Jesus’ answer: “Not seven times, but SEVENTYTIMES SEVEN!”
Jesus was trying to teach Peter that forgiveness is not a matter of mathematics. Nor is it a choice of words. It is an attitude of the heart, and it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to forgive.
“Why is forgiveness so important?”
Matthew 6:14–15 says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This is a reminder that we should forgive others in the same way that we seek forgiveness from God. When people fail, don’t rub it in. Rub it out.
Forgive them.
by Corville Peters
