“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

All men are sinful and consistently transgress. God’s amazing grace through Jesus Christ our Lord has saved us from the penalty of sin and provided the way to eternal life. However, salvation does not exempt us from the onslaughts of our enemy to put road blocks in our paths to sin.

In this life we fall short sometimes and need forgiveness.  God in His lovingkindness and mercifulness faithfully forgives us when we seek Him in true repentance. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Likewise, the bible teaches us that just as we seek and receive forgiveness from our Heavenly Father, we must also have compassion for others. Matthew 6:12 states: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”  the apostle Peter asked Jesus how many times to forgive his brother who had sin against him; “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven time: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22. That’s like saying “I’ve told you a millions times!” you don’t literally mean a million. Jesus was saying don’t keep score just keep on forgiving. Our Heavenly Father forgives us of our sins and cleans the slate each new day… “It is of the LORD‘S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Forgiveness is a heart matter. It takes human compassion and the love of God to forgive those who have hurt or wronged us in some way without holding a grudge. I am reminded of the parable of the Unmerciful Servant. His master called on him to account for ten thousand talents that he owed him. He fell down and worshipped him and begged for his patience until he could repay. The master had compassion on him and let him go.

This same servant went out and found one of his own fellow servants that owed him talents and demanded payment. The servant was unable to pay and ask for his patience. The unmerciful servant denied the fellow servant his request. The news reached his master and he questioned him about this treatment of the fellow servant; Matthew 18:32-33 tells us “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?”  He was then turned over to the tormentors until he could repay his own debt.

Our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and forgives us over and over again. He tells us in His word that we must also show love and compassion for others.  If we choose not to show the mercy that we receive, we will ultimately reap the consequences. “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15.

It is not easy to forgive when we’ve been hurt; but how many of us have sweat great drops of blood? Our Lord and Savior gave His life for us sinners…and we now how the right to eternal life. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 

God blessings and peace…Forgiving leads to love!