Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven."
Matthew 18:21
Being a stay at home mom I learn many lessons from God through my two sons. My boys are around each other all day so every once in a while I'll hear an argument from the playroom or a cry from the kitchen table. Noah has taken Tucker's toy, or Noah didn't share a snack and the other one was offended. Quickly after I save the day and settle the argument my boys are best friends again. That is forgiveness.
As adults we can get offended easily in our workplace, in our home, at the grocery store. How quickly do you forgive others when they offend you? Maybe your husband has done something to betray your trust, have you forgiven him AND forgotten, or do you remind him every day? What about a friend? Has a friend hurt you years ago and you haven't spoke to them since? That is not forgiveness.
I used to be guilty of this. My husband and I went through a lot of ups and downs the first years of our marriage and he didn't some pretty rotten things (I did too.). The problem was that I would bring up his mistakes every day and remind him how bad he hurt me. I had become bitter. This so WRONG! This was a very selfish thing I did. When you bring up some one's mistakes constantly you usually are putting your needs and wants before others. You are secretly wanting them to hurt like you did and ARE STILL hurting. This led to even more arguments in our home. It says in Philippians to put others before yourself. Even though my husband had hurt me I was not putting his needs before my own. This was at a time where I was saved and he was not. I should have been an example. Finally I learned how to forgive my husband the way God would and our marriage has been truly blessed.
When Peter asked how many times to forgive someone when they have wronged him seven times, Jesus told him not seven times but seventy times seven.
I wonder how many of us say we have forgiven someone, but secretly avoid them because we have been hurt. I wonder how many of us say we have forgiven someone, but still bring it up every single day?
If you haven't completely forgiven someone in your life today please do so. Today could be your last.
