In Jesus parable, Matthew 18, we have Peter coming up to Jesus asking about forgiveness. He asks how many times we should forgive someone, and Peter seems to think that seven times was a good number. Jesus answer was a shock to Peter and the other disciples. Jesus tells them to forgive, “seventy-seven times.” Jesus was not saying seventy-seven and that’s it. He taught that forgiveness is unlimited, and it cannot be measured by its appropriation. Often, we fail to recognize our own debt and therefore we fail to forgive. The point was, forgive as many times as needed. If we think about it, God does not limit His forgiveness for us, but forgives us of all our sins. We are all in need of forgiveness and to withhold only demonstrates an ingratitude towards the debt we could never repay God.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7 NIV
It is clear in these verses and others that God forgives us of all our sins, past, present and future. He is, “faithful and just” and will forgive us of, “all unrighteousness” and this is done in the, “riches of God’s grace.”
Yes, dealing with grievous human offenses is hard and a painful process. During this process we must remember we have been forgiven of all are faults. God does not hold any of our sins against us but has forgiven everything we have done or will ever do. It is this kind of forgiveness that we are to be mindful of when we consider forgiving others. It will free us from a bondage and opens our hearts to enter the very heart of Jesus.
Anchor In The Storm 