I am in frustrated awe of how bitterness, hurt, and anger will stealthily try to creep back in my heart, soul, mind, and strength…even after fully forgiving, reconciling, and dealing with it all.
Might this be why Jesus answered Peter the way He did in this passage?…
Matthew 18:21-22 … “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!”
70 X 7 !?
It’s not about the math…don’t get out your calculator! You and I both know the math is 490. Some have forgiven the same person beyond 490 times. Does that mean that Jesus now gives them permission to stop forgiving? By no means! Remember what Mother Theresa said, “When you refuse to forgive someone, it’s like you drinking poison and hoping it kills the person who hurt you.”
Forgiveness frees us from the prison of bitterness, hurt, and anger. I’ve never felt like forgiving someone. It is a decision made from holy discipline. Its just the right thing to do. Period.
When the devil gets in your ear and starts whispering to you…, “remember when that person did that to you?” You only need to respond, “Yes, I remember, and I also remember forgiving them.” … Go to hell, satan.
Forgive c o n t i n u a l l y . . . . . . .