Christian Living

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Seventy Times Seven or What?

When we think of forgiveness it’s easy to remember when Peter asked Jesus if we were to forgive 7 times. Jesus reply to him was 70 times 7. Everybody knows about 70 X 7.

When I read specific scriptures in Matthew 5 and 6, I get the feeling there’s something more to be considered when we think about forgiveness. In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus says before we leave our gift at the altar, or in the case back in that time the gift was the animal that was to be slain for their sins, if we remember someone has something against us, don’t hesitate to make it right. Do it before leaving your gift. This is a command from Jesus, if there’s anything between us or someone else, make it right.

In verse 43 of this same chapter, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ’You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." .He goes on to explain that this is the pattern that Father God has laid down for us to follow.

In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus lets His disciples know that if they forgive others their trespasses so will Father forgive them when they trespass against Him. If not then neither will Father forgive them.

As I read these scriptures I don’t see any wiggle room away from the fact that we must make every effort, we can, to be at peace with our fellowman. I don’t see that Jesus gave any loopholes to consider. I do see however in Matthew 7:1 that if we are going to judge someone else, then we too will be judged. If we don’t strive to obey God’s command to us, to even love our enemies, then we will be judged accordingly. At the end of it all I see everyone coming up at the short end of that stick.

I see something more, though. When Jesus gives us the commandments His Father taught Him, I’ve learned to look for the deeper meanings and truths connected to them. This whole commandment thing isn’t to make our lives rough or hard to live, but more importantly to free us up from living a much harsher life, otherwise.

When Jesus warned His disciples about leaving their gifts at the altar to make things right with another, He did so because He knew if they didn’t they would be stopping their spiritual growth. He was trying to warn them and us to not jeopardize our times of intimacy and spiritual growth with Father.

If we are to grow spiritually, we need to understand the importance of being like our Heavenly Father. The pattern He set for us is doable only as we learn to lean on Him and His strength. The times when our relationship grows closer, is when we realize how much God is able to take us through the tough times and come out the other side a much stronger person.

When we put ourselves in the position of refusing to obey a command like Jesus gave us, to make sure we are doing what we can to keep our relationships with each other pure and right, we are also telling God we don’t want to follow Him any more. Stop and think of the importance Jesus put in the thought of leaving the gift at the altar and make things right before pursuing our spiritual journey.

In Proverbs4:23 the writer tells us to watch over our hearts with all diligence for from it flow the issues of life. When we stop growing spiritually we are putting ourselves in grave danger, not to mention our hearts. Satan is out there looking for the ones who will become frustrated with God and lose hope, so he can come into the picture and deceive them into believing something else.

The Hebrew word for heart (leb) refers to more than just our feelings. It is taken from a root word that is best translated "the inner man" which embodies the mind, will and emotions. When we stop growing spiritually with God we become open to other affections. Affections like our reasons for not wanting to make things right with that "other" person. Or why should I forgive them? I’m not going to let them off the hook. They don’t deserve it. (judgment made) We don’t have the right to say what others deserve.

Because of a refusal to obey God at this point, we have a developing integrity problem. The sound mind that God has given us is in jeopardy. We are now thinking on our own. We no longer have the ability to hear spiritually or connect with God for true counsel. Our inner "being" has shut down. The integrity of God’s Spirit within is being breached. Our capability of growth and development emotionally, mentally and spiritually is threatened. Our hearts affection is no longer leaning on Father.

The door for a root of bitterness, to grow inside us, is being allowed to open. Bitterness will invite other cronies besides itself to join him. Their main plot is to destroy relationships as well as physical bodies. Anger, hatred, malice and like foes will go to work and tear apart the body cell by cell. They don’t care how long it takes. They like a slow agonizing death as much as a quick one.

Forgiveness is the only force available to keep destruction from happening. Forgiveness can only come with the help of Father. Only forgiveness can activate God’s ability to bring healing to an otherwise difficult or dangerous relationship. Forgiveness is not God’s way to make life harsh but rather to bring peace and wholeness.

Everything God wants us to follow Him in will produce something good. He never asks us to follow Him anywhere that would bring harm to us. Forgiveness, like so many other commands from Father are given to us to protect and keep us from certain destruction. We can be assured that to follow Father is to bring us to that place of strength, love and a sound mind. That’s a great combination.

Think about it...

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