“Relational repair takes time, but forgiveness applies ointment for the healing to begin.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 10, 2022
Then Peter approached him with the question, Master, how many times can my brother wrong me and I must forgive him? Would seven times be enough? No, replied Jesus, not seven times, but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness is not based on whether a person deserves forgiveness, rather forgiveness is based on God’s undeserved forgiveness. He offers everyone forgiveness based on trusting His son Jesus Christ. Those mature in love and faith in God embrace forgiveness as a way of life. Love grows from demanding its way—to being flexible. To let go of expectations is to lean into the love of God, trusting Him as your life guide and provider. Forgiveness embraces gratitude and joy. A generous forgiver rests in her security in Christ as His beloved child in whom He is extremely pleased. A lifestyle of forgiveness bypasses self-absorbed obsessing while modeling selfless service. Relational repair takes time, but forgiveness applies ointment for the healing to begin.
No doubt, Peter wanted a forgiveness formula…seven times seems generous. But no, Jesus calls him out with a generous definition of how many times to forgive…four hundred ninety. For mature followers of Jesus, forgiveness becomes a way of life. Just like you would love and show compassion to someone with a physical disease or disability, in the same way you forgive all those you encounter in life, when you see them with spiritual eyes…human beings who are hurt. Perhaps a more helpful question is, How many times do I not forgive? Zero. Grace undeserved.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
At times you do not like what you have done (lied, cheated, gossiped), but you still love yourself, by forgiving yourself. In the same way you may not like or accept a person’s bad behavior, but you still forgive him, since you love him. You do not hold a grudge. You can love him, but still not like being around him. Forgiveness is based on love, not what’s deserved. C.S. Lewis’ forgiveness chapter in Mere Christianity is helpful as he explains the relationship of forgiving others to loving others like you love yourself (Jesus’ quote from the great commandment). Here are Lewis’s words on how to begin the process of forgiveness with your closest relationships:
“When you start mathematics, you do not begin with calculus; you begin with simple addition. In the same way, if we really want (but all depends on really wanting) to learn how to forgive, perhaps we had better start with something easier than the Gestapo. One might start with forgiving one’s husband or wife, or parents or children, for something they have done or said in the last week. That will probably keep us busy for the moment. And secondly, we might try to understand exactly what loving your neighbor as yourself means. I have to love him as I love myself. Well, how exactly do I love myself?” Where there is love there is forgiveness, and where there is forgiveness there is love. Since God so loved, He forgives, because we love, we forgive.
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my heart of love to forgive others as I love and forgive myself, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What family, friends or work colleagues do I need to forgive, even though I still do not approve of their pattern of behavior? If he claims to be a Christ follower, pray about speaking to him in love about his behavior.
Related Reading
Genesis 50:19; Numbers 14:19; Matthew 6:15; Luke 6:37
Worship Resource
Sidewalk Prophets: Where Forgiveness Is
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