Seventy X Seven
"I forgive you" can be so hard. When someone hurts you, it can be difficult to accept their apology. "Im sorry" just doesn't cut it when that person has just ripped you to shreds with their words. Instead you opt to wait a few days, forget the wrong that was done to you, then you never have to forgive them.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The bible speaks clearly to the power of forgiveness. Jesus told Peter in Matthew, seventy times seven times will you need to forgive one another. In other words, always. So then why is it so hard for us? Seems if we have forgiven a person more than once, it would come easier the next time. Unfortunately, you and I both know it doesn't come easier, so more times than not we choose unforgiving hearts.
When we choose not to forgive it hardens our hearts to keep us from getting hurt. Unfortunately, when we do this, we become someone we are not. The next time that person hurts us, we lash back and do and say things we wish we hadn't. We always hold our battle sword ready, because next time they aren't going to get away with hurting us.
But I will tell you, feeling hurt and betrayed is better than hardening your hearts and becoming bitter. Felling hurt, doesn't mean you lose. It just means you are normal and are just like everyone else who has feelings and can get hurt.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you
Forgiveness starts with understanding what it means to forgive. To forgive means to grant pardon, to give up all claim on account, to cease resentment, or cancel indebtedness.
We can't wait until we feel like it to forgive. In it of ourselves, we probably will never feel like forgiving. Peter asked Jesus how many more times? Sounds to me, like Peter was waiting on Jesus to say, Ah Peter, ten times and then you don't have to forgive anymore. But no, Jesus says always forgive one another, and your heavenly father will forgive you.
Sisters, realize what forgiveness means, then forgive. Don't wait a few days until you feel like it because like me, you will forget. Forgive right then. Forgive before that person has even repented. If you have been waiting for years for someone to apologize. This isn't forgiveness. This is holding a debt over someone.
We must chose to forgive now. Forgive before repentance has come. Bring freedom to your life, and walk tenderheartedly. We are all broken people. Someone will wrong you, you can be sure of it. But be sure today, and chose forgiveness for whatever may come.
xo a girl who sleeps with the pastor