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.
Have you ever had someone hurt you so deeply that you had trouble forgiving them?
You've tried.
You think you have the victory over it.
Then something brings all the hurt and resentment flooding back into your mind.
My mind began to ponder on this...
Why do we have so much trouble forgiving others...letting go of hurts...and bitterness?
When someone does us wrong, it's easy to see the 'twig' sticking of their eye (the wrong they've done), but we don't notice the huge beam protruding from our own (the wrongs we've done).
If you can, picture this:
One person has a small stick that they are swinging around and out of their carelessness (and sometimes deliberate jabs) they occasionally hit and cause injury to others.
Another person is walking around with a huge beam which they are carrying on their shoulder. This protruding beam can injure others as they turn and move if the other person doesn't see it coming giving them opportunity to duck and get out of it's way.
Who's piece of wood (sin) do you think will do more damage?
That 'beam' may be a grudge, or bitterness, or gossip just to name a few.
While the 'stick' could be unkind words.
That 'beam' can cause far more damage than their little 'stick'.
God has forgiven our every sin...many, many sins...sins that nailed Him to the cross. Some are worse than others but all are sin. If God is willing to forgive us of every sin, we need to be willing to forgive others even if they haven't asked.
They may not realize they've done wrong.
They may be so bound by sin they can't do anything else but follow what has control of them.
They are slaves to sin. (Romans 6:16-20)
They may feel justified in their actions.
They may not realize they are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
That's why the Bible says to 'pray for those who spitefully use you' and to 'love your enemies', 'do good', 'bless and curse not.' Your prayers can make a difference...if not in their life, it will in you.
If someone does us wrong, we need to release it to God, forgive, and love them.
Anger, bitterness, and hurt will only fester in our heart and mind making us (and others around us) miserable.
It will block us from hearing God's voice. (Psalm 66:18)
If not let go of, it can even cost us our soul.
Unforgiveness affects more than self - it festers and agitates causing the person to spread gossip and slander as well as a bad attitude. (Attitudes ARE contagious...but that's another thought for another day)
Forgiveness releases not just the offender but it also releases you.
Forgiveness displays the heart of God ~ mercy and love.
Forgiveness makes you more Christ-like! (Luke 23:34)
