Sunday, March 8, 2009

Seventy Times Seven

One of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life, at least for me, is the commandment to forgive those who have offended us. Granted, God has forgiven us of so much, how could we even think of holding some puny and insignificant debt against another person. Well... guess what? We do it every day! At least, I have. And as the Holy Spirit does what Ashley Cleveland sang about in Lesson of Love -- His wings provide me comfort as His light invades my sin -- I have but one alternative.

I must forgive!

Consider the parable of the man who was forgiven a great debt and yet refused his brother the same mercy for a significantly smaller debt. The wicked unforgiving servant was released from a debt he couldn’t pay, yet held a beef against his brother for a mere pittance. Jesus washed away my sins... so should I have an attitude towards my brother or my sister? I don’t think so. We are not carrying that mess into 2009!

In the parable, we see that the wicked servant was given a severe punishment for his unwillingness to show mercy to his brother (see Matthew 18:33-35). And this is not the only time that Jesus has made that point ever so clear. Take a peek at another scripture:

14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15 (Amplified Bible)

That scripture inspires me to dive into my prayer closet and repent for holding a single grudge or a beef against anyone. I don’t want to carry any of my sins as being unforgiven... so then I refuse to hold anyone else’s sins against them. Still... it is easier said than done. But it MUST be done!

21 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? 22 Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!

Matthew 18:21-22 (Amplified Bible)

I like Mark Gershmehl’s song, How Many Times, which is answered... seventy times seven. Our song, from our Psalms from the Pen of the Ready Writer series, may not be as good as Mark’s tune. Still, it gets the point across...

Lord... i thought i could trust him
When... it seemed that i knew him
You... You know that i loved him
So, how? (How, i wonder...)
Could... he hurt me so deeply?
On... the day he betrayed me
Now... i come to You asking
What am i to do?

You say forgive
Forgive and love the way that You love me
You say forgive
Cover his sin and cast into the sea
Oh, i must forgive

She... my sister in Jesus
Once... a fellow believer
Times... we shared all our secrets
So, how? (How, i wonder...)
Could... my sister betray me?
With... her tongue she did slay me
Me... the victim of “loose lips”
Reputation gone!

Church on the corner... the
Place of my solstice... where
i go to worship... i’m
No longer welcome... Lord
This isn’t right... i’m
Ready to fight... but
You come down in Your Holy Light
And strengthen me with Your Great Might...

(the) Might to forgive
Forgive and love the way that You love me
Strength to forgive
Cover this sin and cast into the sea (Micah 7:19)
Lord, i must forgive
Help me to forgive

Though my brother sins against me seven times
i must forgive

Though he stops his ears and acts like he were blind
i will forgive

perpetually even to the end of time
i will forgive

and be like Jesus — to his sin i’ll die (Galatians 2:20)
Help me forgive

Oh Lord...
i will forgive
i will
i will forgive
help me forgive...

I have heard people partially acquiesce to God’s commandment by saying, “Well, I will forgive them... but I will never forget what they did.” Hello? A grudge is a grudge. One of the Fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. We need to rely upon the Holy Spirit to give us longsuffering patience when dealing with the often knuckleheaded behavior of some of the people around us.

Slammed me to the ground
They hurt me, and brought my spirit down
i can’t see why i still have to love them
when i’ve suffered undeserved

Tried to kill my joy
The devil, he’s seeking to destroy
i realize i can’t fail to love them
Though my love is undeserved

If i don’t forgive them of their trespass
i won’t have the peace from God that will last


So i will suffer long --- even though provoked
In faith, keep going strong --- up against the ropes

He’s my strength and song
So, i will suffer long

Although i forgive
Forget their sin; They won’t let me live
in peace with them... i won’t cease to love them
when i suffer undeserved

Heart to reconcile
our differences; Fight to wear a smile
while facing this... Inside i’ll still love them
Though my love won’t be returned

If i don’t forgive them of their trespass
i won’t have the peace from God that will last

So i will suffer long --- even though provoked
In faith, keep going strong --- up against the ropes

He’s my strength and song
So, i will suffer long

Again... it is the power of the Holy Spirit by which we can forgive and forget. Call upon the Lord and yield to his operation in your life.

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