Day 18: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau

 

Scripture: Matthew (NRSV) 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

 

Devotion: Sometimes we attend church in an individualistic way. We like a church that meets our needs; and if something at church offends us, we go elsewhere. In Jesus’ teachings, we all have a responsibility for one another. He is especially present when we’re gathered with other Christians. He commands Christians to make the effort to forgive and uphold one another. In this context, Peter poses a famous question: How many times should we forgive?

 

Jesus’ response was 7 times 70 times. You just forgive, and you never stop forgiving. We gain strength and freedom when we forgive. We find strength to keep moving in our lives. When we forgive, we are able to refocus our emotional energies; and we are able to grow closer to God. When we grow in forgiveness, we begin to understand the heart of God.

Forgiveness is a gift of God. God already knows our feelings and still loves us. God can work healing power in our lives when we admit to God our deep feelings of hatred, hurt, and anger. Forgiveness is a powerful sign of our life together, not only in specific instances of forgiveness but also in Christian fellowship. If love and trust are present in our fellowship, we can discuss our painful feelings with one another. We are called to express an attribute of God in our life together. We are called to forgive as God forgives.