Bible Verse of the Day Saturday February 10th, 2024

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.

One of the great things about the Bible is that it is full of stories of people who were able to get a new start. Adam and Eve had rebelled against God and were under the threat of death, but God forgave them and granted them a new start. David had committed adultery and murder, but God forgave him and granted him a new start with his son, Solomon. Peter had denied Jesus and forsaken Him, but Jesus forgave Him and allowed Peter to be the messenger of God to the Jewish nation. Our God is merciful. He delights in taking impossible situations and turning them around so that humankind can see His love and so that they can see that there is no debt so outstanding that God cannot forgive it and cause His people to begin again and to get a new start.

Two incidents happened in Jesus's life that help us see His willingness to forgive and His ability to help us begin again. The first is the story of a woman caught having an affair, and the second is the story of two men whose master forgave them for an outstanding debt that they owed. Both stories illustrate that though our debts have gotten to the point that we cannot pay, Jesus longs to forgive those sins so that we can begin again.

Jesus said to forgive 490 times. This command is not to be taken literally but figuratively: forgive indefinitely. Christians cannot bear an unforgiving attitude without harming our own spiritual life. As followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we should know no limit to our forgiveness. A grudge is not part of the Christian way of life. Keeping records of wrongs done to us warps our orientation.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Forgiveness is the dedication not to punish those who wrong us. These people most certainly deserve whatever punishment they receive, but we choose not to carry that punishment out. Jesus took the punishment we deserved on the Cross of Calvary. Consequently, we are familiar with the blessing of forgiveness. We all still need forgiveness for the many sins we commit as Christians.