Forgive and Forgive and Forgive Again!

Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-22 (NIV)

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 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.

It could be the most difficult command given us by God, “Forgive.” I mean how are we supposed to forgive someone who has lied about us or hurt us or our families? How do we overlook the sins of others that have changed our lives? It is interesting that God does not really answer those questions; but instead, He shares with us the reality of life. If we forgive those who have sinned against us, then He will forgive us; but, if we do not forgive those who have sinned against us, then He will not forgive us either.

God, has called us to forgive and forgive and forgive again, all who have sinned against us. But how many times do we have to forgive them? Jesus says ad infinitum! We have to forgive internally until we are feeling on the inside the forgiveness that we are showing on the outside.

Now, I know for me this is tough; but it is God’s desire. And since He calls for it, I would like to take this moment and ask you to do the same.

Just take a minute and picture that person who has sinned against you, who has hurt you, and who you struggle to forgive. And now forgive him or her, and forgive them again, and forgive them again!

Now, you are forgiven too!