“Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”
Peter had asked Jesus the interesting question of how many times must I forgive the same person for doing the same bad things to me? Peter then had suggested maybe up to seven times. But Jesus answered, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” That’s 490 times. And that’s all in one day, because God’s mercies are new every morning.
The Message Bible says: “Jesus replied, ‘Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.'”
Why would Jesus expect this of us? It seems impossible to do. But Jesus wasn’t just talking about us. He was teaching us about God’s ability and willingness to forgive. He would never tell us to do anything that He wouldn’t do Himself.
If we sin against God seventy times seven and ask Him to forgive us, He will. We think God would tire of us and refuse to let us try again. But God is awesome and will do it. Now He is saying that because we are so forgiven, we are to forgive others in the same way.
God will forgive me unconditionally. I now will forgive everyone else the same way.
- Reading Plan A: 2 Corinthians 2
- Reading Plan B: 1 Corinthians 1
- Reading Plan C: Proverbs 17,18; 2 Corinthians 2
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.