This past Sunday at church, I was able to listen to a wonderful message on forgiveness. And I just wanted to share with you what I got out of it because it's good stuff! We read from Matthew 18, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. Matthew 18:21-22 says this... "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?A)' data-cr="#cen-NIV-23749A"> Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
So here are my thoughts... In those times, saying "Seventy-seven" was just like how we say, "a million" or "all the time". So Jesus is saying, we need to forgive a million times, all the time. And the idea of forgiveness... it seems so unfair. Think about it... we don't deserve it, others don't deserve it, but it's something that we are all offered. How easy is the idea of forgiveness when we seek it from others- when we want them to forgive us- but how harsh is the idea when someone wants forgiveness from us. We love the unfairness of forgiveness when we desire to be forgiven, but we hate that we also must forgive all the time, even when people hurt or wrong us. Just think about that for a little bit. It makes my head hurt to think about it too much- but it does make me appreciate the grace and forgiveness that Christ offers us, and that we are to also model. I'm not sure if that made sense, but it was something that really got me thinking. Just the idea of forgiveness and how it IS so unfair, but in the greatest way possible. You know what else doesn't make sense? The fact that after we give or receive that unfair forgiveness- there is freedom. It's like an entire weight of guilt, anger and shame is lifted from both the forgiver and the forgiven. So where in your life are you lacking that forgiveness? Where in your life do you want to experience that freedom with whoever or whatever it is that you are in conflict with? Just some food for thought.
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My Name's ToriThis is a place for my thoughts, dreams, rants, experiences and more. Archives
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