How many times should I forgive someone? Peter had the same question.
Matthew 18:21:
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus gave him a simple, honest answer in the following verse.
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Then Jesus explained what he meant with a parable. Jesus often told stories that got to the heart of an issue. Here, a king is squaring up his debts and comes to collect from a borrower. The Passion Translation puts this story into financial terms we can understand.
Matthew 18:24:
As he began the process, it came to his attention that one of his servants owed him ONE BILLION DOLLARS. So he summoned the servant before him and said to him, ‘Pay me what you owe me.’
This debtor begged for mercy and this king forgave him ALL his debt. Wow! So, wouldn’t you think this forgiven debtor would show compassion on someone who owed him? Think again.
Matthew 18:28:
“No sooner had the servant left when he met one of his fellow servants, who owed him TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. He seized him by the throat and began to choke him, saying, ‘You’d better pay me right now everything you owe me!’
When this fellow servant begged for mercy, the wicked servant was unmoved and demanded the last penny. When the king heard of this, he acted justly and threw the wicked servant into prison to fully exact his debt.
Jesus made this one of the keystones in his prayer to the Father.
Matthew 6:12:
Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
We thank God for His forgiveness TO US. That allows us to be gracious to those who have hurt or offended us in some way. When we think about what a mess WE ARE, and HOW MUCH God has forgiven and continues to forgive US FOR, then we can more easily forgive those who hurt us. Paul put it beautifully.
Ephesians 4:32:
But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God GRACIOUSLY FORGIVEN YOU? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of CHRIST’S LOVE.
We have the ability to forgive our brother “seventy times seven.” The love of Christ in our hearts can help us to overcome any petty anger or upset feelings, so that we move on to live God’s way. And WE ARE THE WINNERS when extend God’s gracious love to others. We carry no self-righteousness, hate, or pride. Instead, we realize that WE ARE GREAT SINNERS, and in thanks for the Father forgiving us, we forgive others.
John Newton, author of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace,” knew about God’s grace and forgiveness in his life. He said, “I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be. I am not the man I hope to be. But by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.” His dying words, softly whispered to a friend, sum up the great learning in his life. “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a GREAT Savior. Let’s forgive others with the forgiveness that comes from the Father’s love through His Son.
