I think all of us have certain places or periods of our life
that bring back bad memories and maybe some bitterness. Maybe it’s the house
you grew up in, or the town. Maybe it’s from your childhood, teen years or
somewhere in your adult years.
This song by Christ August ( which refers to Jesus’ answer to Peter about forgiveness – see below)
really captures how important it is to forgive those who may have hurt us , or
even those who we perceive have hurt us.
This is true of everyone in our lives – our brothers and
sisters in Christ, friends, co-workers – even our enemies!.
But this song refers specifically to family and these
relationships are especially important. The relationships we have with our fathers and
mothers, our brothers and sisters and our spouses and children have a very
large impact on our relationship with our Heavenly Father ( see Eph. 6 etc..) .
So is there some bitterness , anger or even hatred towards
someone that we need to forgive ? Sometimes only the Holy Spirit can even truly
reveal this to you.
And of course, the other person may never change, be sorry
or even accept your forgiveness – but this move is for God and for you. It
releases you from the bondage of bitterness and opens up your relationship with
God and others in your life!
Enjoy the song here: Chris August - 7 x 70
Mat
18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall
my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Read the parable that follows as well!
It should be clarified here that Jesus was not saying once you reach 490 times then you don't have to forgive anymore.
Taken in context of the entire Bible, this is a figurative number to really say - "indefinitely" or "infinitetly".
Peter may have come up with the number 7 in relation to this passage in Luke:
| Luk 17:4 | "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." |
It is noteworthy ( without getting into any fanatical numerology) that it is commonly understood that the number 7 often represents "perfection" or "completeness" in the Bible. This would make sense in this passage as well, as Jesus is talking about total, unending, "perfect and complete" forgiveness.
