Seven times Seventy

Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB)

²¹ Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Over the past week or two the subject of ‘forgiveness’ has been put before me by more than one person, and in different settings. I have been holding onto anger over wrongs committed against me by someone and have refused forgiveness.

I WANT to hold on to the anger because it makes me feel justified – but I cannot. I am not justified in anger, even though the things done were wrong on many levels. Thankfully, I have a Heavenly Father who will seek payment for those sins, just as He will seek payment for mine.

At our Bible study last Friday night, a friend of mine was teaching on forgiveness. During some discussion, one person mentioned that when we do not forgive someone, it affects us more than it does them. Most of the time, the unforgiven person does not know or care if they have something held against them. I believe this to be 100% accurate – holding anger in at someone turns that anger into bitterness. Bitterness makes a person unbearable to be around. Bitterness can even affect your health if held on to for an extended period of time.

Seeing through the pain of lies and associated behaviors can cloud the vision of what is right and wrong for us. God tends to put people in our paths who can redirect us when we are unable or unwilling to see the truth for what it is.

I choose to forgive. Some others may not understand my decision and that is okay. That is why it is mine to make. Forgiveness does not mean an invitation back into my life – it only means I forgive your past actions. That is also a choice I have to make, as the person I need to forgive has not made true attempts to change any behaviors leading to this. God does not require us to be gullible when forgiving another. Learning from our mistakes is essential to growth in our Christian lives.

I have my own forgiveness to ask for, from God. For becoming this person these last couple of months, and ignoring what I know to be true. This video and song are amazing. The simplicity of what is being shown and how, in the end, we are made whole by forgiveness, is beautiful.