Forgiveness is limitless! At what point does forgiveness stop being forgiveness and start being weakness? Are we to let people just repeatedly run over us? Where do we draw the line so that those we forgive do not take advantage of us? Peter, was concerned about this as well. No doubt the answer Jesus gave him astounded him: Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) – “ Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone[a] who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Essentially Jesus told Peter not to count how often he has forgiven someone but to just keep on forgiving as often as there is something to forgive. Jesus shows us through this parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18 that there is to be no limit on forgiveness. If you offend me daily (which you should not do) Jesus commands me to forgive you daily. Think about it. How many times do you want to be forgiven? Then don’t limit your forgiveness! Amen.
Forgiveness must be permanent! The forgiver should no longer hold a grudge; even though the offence may have a lasting impact. The one who has been forgiven should feel no more guilt; having been forgiven means never again having to carry the burden of guilt. Looking back there may be shame at what has been done but no guilt, it has been removed. Those who have been forgiven have been freed from the burden paying the price for their wrong, it has been paid by another (THE FORGIVER) and the debt is therefore cancelled.
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