Matthew 18:21-22
Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There seems to be a general consensus that you can make a behavior a habit in twenty-one days – or three weeks. So it would follow that forgiving someone for doing something wrong every day for three weeks would pretty well solidify our ability to forgive that person. Yet Jesus says to forgive seventy-seven times… or 10 weeks! Why do you suppose He chose this time frame? If something becomes a habit or “part of our nature” in three weeks, why continue working on it another seven?
If you read the parable in Matthew 18 that follows this command from Jesus in Verses 21-22, you will see that He is trying to get us to a point where we don’t even think about the offense… where forgiveness is second nature. He illustrates our forgiveness from God and makes the point that literally forgiving someone seventy-seven times is not the issue – it’s about treating others as God treats us.
Look… we cannot hope to be even the least bit like God and harbor feelings of un-forgiveness in our heart. We must practice forgiveness of all people and things until this becomes habitual… second nature. Notice Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t be cautious or smart. Don’t become a doormat for others.” This is not about allowing someone to mistreat you or take advantage of you in some way. But when someone or something is offensive to you, and you harbor a feeling of ill will toward that person or situation, YOU are the one who is most affected.
Forgiveness is liberating. Forgiveness says that we are better than the offense (which is a tool of the devil). Forgiveness indicates that we are striving to be like our Heavenly Father, Who forgives us over and again each and every day. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness… but rather, a sign of strength in the LORD!
Who do you need to forgive today? Where do you need to implement a “three-week course” in forgiveness and make this a habit in your life? Do you truly desire to grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him? Start exercising forgiveness in your life today. Work hard at forgiving seventy-seven times… and more! Operate in the freedom of Christ’s love, grace and mercy… and extend it to those you meet. This is one habit we could all stand to cultivate!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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