(KJV and NKJV Scripture references at the end)
– For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses … neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:14-15
– God picked me up and helped me through, and shined a light on the one thing left to do – and that’s forgive you. Seven times seventy – if that’s the cost, I’ll pay the price. – “7×70,” written and sung by Chris August, copyright 2010
Unforgiveness may be one of the best ways Satan accuses us – and gains advantage over us time and again throughout our lives. It is one of the many devices the devil uses in his daily endeavors trying to devour our souls. Even the most steadfast Christians are not exempt from such attempts. We cannot allow ourselves to become ignorant of such tactics Satan employs to keep us away from the truth.
We don’t forgive other people for their sake – but for the sake of Jesus. Just as God is long-suffering and forgiving of our sins against Him – we are to be just as long-suffering and forgiving towards other people for their sins against us. One of the first things we cannot forget to do when we pray is to forgive others – so God can forgive anything we do against Him. If we don’t, how can we call Jesus the Lord of our life?
How many times are we supposed to forgive others? After all, people can do so many hurtful or harmful things to us throughout our lives. Can we ever stop doing it? Can we ever say, “No, God – I’ve done enough forgiving?” When Peter asked a similar question to Jesus, Peter thought God’s number of perfection would be sufficient. However, Christ replied “Not seven times, but seven times seventy.”
That’s 490 times – or seven times a year for 70 years. This is the average lifespan of man. Doesn’t this cover forgiveness for an entire life? As Desmond Tutu said, “Forgiveness frees us from a life of ungodly feelings and actions. It is essential to spiritual and emotional wellness.” Redemption in Christ’s blood means we forgive. If we are not as ready to forgive others as God is us – we are not ready for heaven.
(Scripture references in order of use: Revelation 12:10, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Corinthians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:9, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:46, Matthew 18:21-22, Psalm 90:10, Colossians 1:14)
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