Matthew 18:21, New Living Translation

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’”

How do we forgive from the heart? It is difficult to “forgive and forget” when someone says or does something to hurt us. Biblically, it is the right thing to do. When we need help forgiving, take it to the Lord. Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21 (NLT), “Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’” Jesus responded with this, “’No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (Matthew 18:22, NLT) In essence, we must be forgiving continually. There are repercussions if we do not forgive. These scriptures come from the Parable of the unforgiving debtor which is found in Matthew 18. If you continue to read, the servant was thrown into prison and tortured until he had paid his entire debt. Why? He had been shown mercy but was not giving mercy to a fellow servant. When we forgive from the heart and we “forget” it is not physically forgetting but not seeking our own revenge on the individual. The Bible clearly tells us that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).

In the Old Testament a guilt offering had to be given to the Lord whenever someone had sinned. Leviticus 5:15-16 (NLT) says, “If one of you commits a sin by unintentionally defiling the Lord’s sacred property, you must bring a guilt offering to the Lord. The offering must be your own ram with no defects, or you may buy one of equal value with silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. You must make restitution for the sacred property you have harmed by paying for the loss, plus an additional 20 percent. When you give the payment to the priest, he will purify you with the ram sacrificed as a guilt offering, making you right with the Lord, and you will be forgiven.” This was what had to happen any time someone sinned. We are a blessed people. In the New Testament, God did a new thing. He provided a perfect sacrifice that did not need to take place over and over again. He sacrificed His only Son for the forgiveness of our sins and our redemption showing us that, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:10-12, NLT)

Over and over again in the New Testament are examples of forgiveness given by Jesus, our Savior. The greatest example He gave was His death on the cross and His resurrection. He did not have to die for our sins. He could have chosen not to. He saw the reality of the situation. He did not want a future with us not in it. So, He gave His life, so that we could have life. That is forgiveness and that is love. 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) says, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Notice this scripture says show. Showing is an action. 1 John 3:18 (NLT) says “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” Though. at the time, we may not “feel” loving, our actions choose love…our actions choose forgiveness. “Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:19-20, NLT)

The final thing that comes to my mind is grudges. It is important that we do not hold a grudge. To help us understand a little more, a grudge is defined as a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from past insult or injury. Leviticus 19:18 (NLT) says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Grant it, it does say Israelite, but the Bible also tells us that, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT) Rest assured, these words are words we should be following. They will lead us into every good work that the Lord has planned for us and we keep His greatest commandments: “…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT)

I pray that with the help of the Lord, we can forgive and we can love. In Jesus name. Amen.