This passage just jumps right into it and throws it right in my face. I struggle with the part about forgiving my friend 7 times in the same day if they wrong me and ask for forgiveness. I'm sorry, this is just sticking tough. Seven times in the same day!?!?!?! Come on, let's be realistic here, I'm going to have a hard time doing that for a friend when it happens once or twice, let alone SEVEN TIMES!!!!
I find that sometimes even Jesus uses exaggeration to get His point across. It's like what he's really saying here, and some of our other verses this week will confirm this, is that seven is not the magic number, like once the person hits offense #8 that we're off the hook and can now legally hate them. I'm getting the impression from this verse and others that the expectation that Jesus has for us is that we learn to forgive no matter how many times a person wrongs us and offends us.
So.... if it wasn't tough enough, now it's even worse. We can't even get off the hook with saying that you've given that person enough chances and even God has said it's ok to not forgive them anymore.
Let me add this thought in here. Forgiveness doesn't mean, "Hey, we're best friends again and I totally trust you no matter what". That's called friendship or relationship. Forgiveness means I've made a choice (it's not a feeling) to forgive you for what you did or said. That's what Jesus is talking about here.
In the days to come you'll see why forgiveness is so a big deal in God's eyes. Stay tuned...
For now, ask yourself this question: Am I willing to forgive my brother/sister in the same way that Jesus has forgiven me?
Love ya all. Have a great day!!!
PE
1 comment:
ok so i was reading this and totally understood what you were trying to say....of course i forgive you for making fun of me yesterday. its alright we can be friends again...
moe
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