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Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21
Taking revenge on someone for something they have done against us comes naturally for us humans. If nothing we at least know to distance ourselves from the offender.
Forgiving on the other hand is unnatural; our entire being can testify towards that - the heart doesn't heal, the mind doesn't forget, the mouth looks for ways to hurt back, the teeth grinds together, the chin gets uptight, the face frowns, our stomach churns in anger and bitterness when we think of that person or what they have done!
To forgive would therefore mean an unfair suggestion, an impossible expectation, extremely difficult, a term that almost shudders our inmost being.
All said, it is still what our Lord teaches us to do! Not just once, or twice, or a dozen times or even seventy-seven times as the Scripture suggests here, but as many times it takes for it to actually become our very nature! It is almost like we becoming aloof and indifferent to anything that could offend us.
How can we ever become like that? Only when we die & born again! Die to this world and live in Jesus Christ as a new being. Then we become like Him - ready to forgive and slow to take offense!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21
Taking revenge on someone for something they have done against us comes naturally for us humans. If nothing we at least know to distance ourselves from the offender.
Forgiving on the other hand is unnatural; our entire being can testify towards that - the heart doesn't heal, the mind doesn't forget, the mouth looks for ways to hurt back, the teeth grinds together, the chin gets uptight, the face frowns, our stomach churns in anger and bitterness when we think of that person or what they have done!
To forgive would therefore mean an unfair suggestion, an impossible expectation, extremely difficult, a term that almost shudders our inmost being.
All said, it is still what our Lord teaches us to do! Not just once, or twice, or a dozen times or even seventy-seven times as the Scripture suggests here, but as many times it takes for it to actually become our very nature! It is almost like we becoming aloof and indifferent to anything that could offend us.
How can we ever become like that? Only when we die & born again! Die to this world and live in Jesus Christ as a new being. Then we become like Him - ready to forgive and slow to take offense!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
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So, how did you enjoy your coffee with Jesus? Care to share?