October 24 2011

Where’s the Forgiveness?
 
Reading: Matthew 18:21-22, 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

“Where has all the forgiveness gone” sounds like a song from Peter, Paul and Mary, but it brings up a question we should all ask ourselves. In today’s world someone cuts you off and the hands and language starts flying. If you burn yourself on a cup of coffee you can sue the person who handed it to you, hey, you may even get rich. So where does “seventy times seven” come in to our lives? Think about it I don’t know anyone who gets cut off 490 times on his way to work, DO YOU? Seems kind of silly doesn’t it…or maybe getting mad at that one person that cuts you off seems pretty silly.

Furthermore, has anyone raised a hand against your son… beaten, mocked, tortured and nailed him to a cross? Yet, you did that. It would be comparable to a mass murderer getting angry and scolding someone for breaking the law by going 7 miles over the speed limit. Your sin drove the nails into the Son of God and, yet, you cannot forgive someone who has wronged you in a way that is far more menial.

Take some time and spend some time talking with God. Ask Him to reveal areas in your life where you are storing a lack of forgiveness.

Who has God revealed that you need to forgive?


With whom can you be more understanding and not get so angry over their menial sin?


What do you need to do today to demonstrate that forgiveness?





End of the Day Review
  
How many people wronged you today?
 
 
In what way did you react to these people today? Did you forgive or did you get mad?