STOP COUNTING
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-22, ESV
Theme: We often try to find the limit to grace and forgiveness; Jesus reminds us to generously forgive until we quit counting.
HOLDING A GRUDGE
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult feelings and actions for me to manage. Unlike kindness, gentleness, and love, forgiveness presents a unique challenge because it’s necessitated by being wronged in some way. I not only have to overcome my natural tendency toward selfishness to live more like Jesus, but I must also overcome whatever hurt, embarrassment, or disappointment I’ve experienced at the hand of another flawed human.
I am a natural grudge-holder. My memory is long and vivid. I often replay scenarios in my mind that refuel the fire of my self-justification to further validate my hard feelings. The fact is, I have no trouble being on the receiving end of forgiveness but experience great hesitation giving it out in the same measure. If someone has hurt me, my worldly mind says, "Shouldn’t they know it and suffer a consequence?" I want justice where I should instead desire peace.
I envision Peter asking Jesus, with exasperation, “Lord, how many times must I forgive?” Maybe he’d had enough of someone and was ready to write them off. Jesus told Peter to stop counting! What if Jesus had his own “number” in mind… a limit to the amount of times He will let us mess up before He abandons us as hopeless? I’m afraid I would have far exceeded the allowable maximum long ago!
JESUS FORGAVE
He forgave tax collectors, adulterers, cheaters, and liars. Jesus forgave His disciples time and again when they, too, messed up. Most unbelievably, Jesus forgave the very people who called for His death and then crucified Him. Considering that degree of love and forgiveness, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where I could justifiably withhold forgiveness from another.
Make It Personal: Have you ever come to the realization that you’ve spent far too much time stewing over actions a “friend” took or didn’t take that made you feel unimportant or comments that may have hurt your feelings? What about the BIGGIES? A grievance so severe it changed your life forever or rendered you unable to trust anyone else, maybe including God, again? I have made the erroneous assumption that forgiveness is something I give for the benefit of someone else. With prayerful reflection, I’ve realized it’s actually for my own peace and serenity. Letting go and ceasing resentment gives us the power to drop that heavy weight, move on, and focus on trusting God’s plan. I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost too many hours worrying and hoping for justice when I should have spent that time going to God with a forgiving heart.
Pray: God, thank You for Your endless forgiveness. I need it! Please give me the strength to forgive others as You have so freely forgiven me. Help me to reflect on Your love so that I may offer mercy to others. I want to release whatever pain I’ve been harboring because of unforgiveness so I can fully experience You. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 4:32, Luke 17:3-4, Proverbs 19:11
Weekly Memory Verse: “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’” Matthew 18:32-33, ESV