May 16
Forgiving
Seventy-Seven Times
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Daily Steps
The difficulty of extending genuine forgiveness often comes down to tracking offenses and setting limits. This famous exchange between Peter and Jesus provides the new believer with the standard for securing lasting relational peace: forgiving seventy-seven times (or seventy times seven, meaning an unlimited amount).
The peace in this unlimited standard is rooted in imitation:
The Flaw in Calculation: Peter's suggestion of "seven times" was generous by the standards of the day, but Jesus rejects the idea of keeping a ledger. Keeping a count of offenses—even a generous count—is a guaranteed way to lose inner peace and foster bitterness.
The Unlimited Standard: "Seventy-seven times" is hyperbole for unlimited forgiveness. We are called to stop counting and start reflecting the boundless forgiveness God has extended to us (The Forgiveness Command, Day 134). The moment we choose to limit our forgiveness, we limit our own peace.
The Result is Freedom: When you forgive unconditionally, you free the offender from your judgment and, more importantly, you free your own heart from the heavy burden of bitterness and resentment. This act of release secures immediate and profound inner peace.
Your relational peace is secured by embracing a lifestyle of unconditional forgiveness. You are called to mirror God’s boundless grace, and in doing so, you maintain harmony in your relationships and freedom in your soul.
Reflective Question
Is there a person whose offense you secretly want to hold onto until they hit your mental "limit?" How can you consciously tear up that ledger today and commit to forgiving seventy-seven times, letting go of the need for them to earn your peace?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my desire to keep a tally of the wrongs done against me. I thank You for Your boundless grace, which You have extended to me seventy-seven times and more. I pray for the strength to imitate Your heart. Help me to stop counting offenses and choose unlimited forgiveness for others, securing the freedom and peace of Your grace in my own life today. Amen.
