How Can We Apply Seventy Times Seven In The Modern World
The question of how we apply forgiveness isnt always easy, particularly when it comes to large organizations. We know there are Bible verses about communal repentance, communal forgiveness is a bit harder to unravel. Focusing on the small scale, here are some things we can individually do to apply Jesus teachings on forgiveness:
Start with right now. Take the time to consider who has sinned against you. This may be someone within your family or church, it might be someone from your past. It may even be someone no longer living or who you cant contact for various reasons. If the person committed a sin and you harbor resentment, then there needs to be forgiveness.
Consider their spiritual status. Often, its hard to tell what God is doing in a persons life, but we still have a clear biblical mandate about how to treat Christians versus non-Christians. We may not judge non-Christians while being shrewd around everybody . When it comes to Christians, we forgive them and lovingly find ways to address their sins. We must forgive them, but that there is a moral standard to address. If Christians are not willing to repent of sin, we know where to go next.
God Does Not Limit How Many Times He Will Forgive Us So We Should Not Limit How Many Times We Will Forgive Others
Then Peter came to Him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!
No matter how many times you sin, you can still come back to God, confess and receive His forgiveness. Thankfully, He has infinite patience and will never give up on you, even if you keep doing the same things over and over. He will always be ready to forgive.
If you are a Christian, you should model Gods patient forgiveness and be ready to forgive others over and over again. Sometimes this can be frustrating, but ask God to help you forgive others the way He forgives you.
This does not mean you should stay in an abusive relationship because the abuser always apologizes. Forgiveness does not mean putting yourself in harms way. But its possible to end an unhealthy relationship but be willing to forgive and not hold onto bitterness, no matter how many times that person hurt you.
S To Forgiveness According To The Bible
Forgiveness is essential to Christian living and it can be a struggle sometimes to exercise it in a fallen world. Every person has encountered hurt, pain, and wrongdoing in some degree or fashion and as Christians we have a duty to forgive those who hurt us. Jesus Christ enables us to forgive. Forgiveness doesnt mean acceptance, it doesnt mean trusting the person, but it means releasing and letting go of the debt of that person who has done wrong. Biblical forgiveness doesnt have to be difficult if we follow the Scriptures and trust Gods sovereignty.
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What Is The Significance Of Seventy Times Seven In Forgiveness
Jesus wants His followers to get in the habit of forgiving those who ask for forgiveness that it becomes second nature. There is no limit to how many times we are willing to forgive someone who seeks forgiveness. This is what Jesus was saying.
- Joel RyanContributing Writer
- 20211 Jun
Then Peter came up and said to Him, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times .
The disciples of Jesus were no strangers to the topic of forgiveness. They had heard Jesus speak about forgiveness on more than one occasion.
In fact, it hadnt been that long since Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, instructing them to ask their heavenly Father to forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors . We know this as an essential tenet of the Lords Prayer.
The always inquisitive Peter, however, had more questions about the extent and frequency of his forgiveness of others. How many times am I expected to forgive one whos wronged me, he asked. Once? Twice? Three times? Seven times?
Peter had more than doubled the Jewish practice of pardoning someone three times for an offense , and in this context, seven might seem like a large number.
To this, however, Jesus famously replied, not even seven, but seventy-seven. Some translations even say, seventy times seven.
Will God Forgive Me If I Keep Sinning
If you seek forgiveness and do not intend to keep repeating the same sin, God forgives you. Even if it happens again, he forgives you. If you ask forgiveness but dont intend to stop the sin, your heart is not in the right place. He died so that the consequences of the sins we commit are paid for already.
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Gods Faithfulness And Blessings
A good example is Job, whom the Lord said was a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil. Satan asked, and received permission to test Job. All sorts of horrible things happened to Job and his family. His three friends began to tell Job all the reasons why they thought these things befell him. On and on they went. Finally, God told Job who was in charge of everything. Now heres the kicker. After Job prayed for those who spoke against him during his suffering, God restored all he had lost and doubled it!
After he prayed for forgiveness for his friends, God listened and granted his request. Wow! A good lesson for us to remember. Forgive others as God forgives us, and we will be blessed! Not necessarily with material things, like Job, but the peace of God which passes all understanding. Much better than a festering, angry soul.
Im am also glad to know that Great is his faithfulness his loving kindness begins afresh each day. Lam. 3:23 TLB
It is similar to receiving manna from heaven. He gives me exactly what I need for that day. I just have to trust him to provide, and go out and gather it. So as I choose to forgive seventy times seven, he is faithful to help me with it each and every day. It comes down to, would I rather be right, or right with God?
In closing, I believe Plato, the Greek philosopher, said it best: Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a difficult battle.
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Other Translations For Matthew 1: 21
¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sinne against mee, and I forgiue him? till seuen times?– King James Version – View 1611 Bible ScanThen Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”– New American Standard Version Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?– American Standard Version Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, what number of times may my brother do wrong against me, and I give him forgiveness? till seven times?– Basic English BibleThen Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? until seven times?– Darby BibleThen came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? – Webster’s BibleAt this point Peter came to Him with the question, “Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him? seven times?”– Weymouth BibleThen Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”– World English BibleThanne Petre cam to hym, and seide, Lord, how ofte schal my brother synne ayens me, and Y schal foryyue hym?– Wycliffe BibleThen Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him — till seven times?’– Youngs Literal Bible
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What Are The 3 Unforgivable Sins
I believe that God can forgive all sins provided the sinner is truly contrite and has repented for his or her offenses. Heres my list of unforgivable sins: ÇMurder, torture and abuse of any human being, but particularly the murder, torture and abuse of children and animals.
Continued Action To Forgive And Receive Forgiveness
Seventy signifies spiritual perfection. So seventy times seven means we need to forgive someone completely, and not let it continue to fester or play over and over again in our minds. I usually have a whole movie theater going on in there, complete with surround sound, casting myself in the lead role of martyr, of course. May I have the envelope, please? And the award for best drama queen goes tome! Not good. Not good at all.
The only way we can get rid of it is through the spiritual perfection of Jesus, in us. The theme song from the Disney film Frozen is appropriate here, LET IT GO!
We need Jesus to work in and through us. How? Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! The footnote for this verse in the NIV says that to follow Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication, and willing obedience. Luke emphasizes continued action.
We must die to self daily. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20 NIV
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Bible Commentary For Matthew 1: 21
Wesley’s Notes for Matthew 18:21
18:20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name – That is, to worship me. I am in the midst of them – By my Spirit, to quicken their prayers, guide their counsels, and answer their petitions.18:22 Till seventy times seven – That is, as often as there is occasion. A certain number is put for an uncertain.18:23 Therefore – In this respect.
People’s Bible Notes for Matthew 18:21
Mt 18:21 Then came Peter to him. The Lord had just spoken of the duty of seeking reconciliation with those who trespassed against us , and there seems to have been some doubt in the mind of Peter how far this principle should be carried. Till seven times? It is stated that the Jewish Rabbis held that forgiveness must be extended to one who confessed his fault, but this was limited to three repetitions of the offense. Peter had an idea that the Savior’s rule would insist on still greater forbearance.
Forgiveness Can Change Your Life
I tell you, her sins and they are many have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.
When you experience true forgiveness, love is the result. Not only will you love God for forgiving you, but being forgiven by a loving God allows you to love others in a way you cannot on your own.
Understanding the depth of your sin and the depth of Gods love and forgiveness will inspire you to forgive and love more freely. Understanding you are a sinner forgiven by a loving God can radically change the way you see others.
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God Forgives Mei Forgive You
The number of times that you are forgiven by God has no comparison to the joy of being forgiven when you ask with sincerity and humility. Your willingness to forgive others in the same manner will bring great peace to your life. The Father in Heaven wont necessarily take away the consequences of your sin, but he will surely remove the punishment through the blood of Jesus. Forgive and be forgiven.
Prioritize Repenting And Seeking Forgiveness For A Healthy Spiritual Life
So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Just as Jesus told His followers to make forgiving others a priority in their daily lives, He also told them to prioritize seeking forgiveness. He wanted them to know that seeking forgiveness and reconciling that is, mending relationships with Him and others is more important than making an animal, religious or any other type of sacrifices to try to make up for their sins.
Jesus sacrifice of His own life on the cross for the sins of the world once and for all eliminated the need for people to bring sacrifices or do religious things to try to make themselves right with God. God wants you to know Him, accept His forgiveness and then live out reconciliation and forgiveness with those around you. Religious activities or doing good deeds are important, but not as important as loving others in this way.
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You Do Not Have To Clean Up Your Life Before You Seek Gods Forgiveness Seek Gods Forgiveness And He Will Help You Change Your Life
God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in Gods sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from Gods condemnation.
This is one of the most profound and wonderful truths in the Bible: God forgives people who are still sinners those who rebel against God and go their own way. Before anyone was able to prove themselves good enough or worthy which isnt possible in your own strength apart from Him God willingly came to earth in the person of Jesus to pay the price for sins so that you could have a relationship with Him. He did this because He loves you deeply.
God chose this act of love and forgiveness knowing that some people would still reject Him and go their own way. He chose to die for the sins of the whole world because He knew the world couldnt save itself.
As youve most likely experienced, its much easier to forgive when other people apologize, try to make things right or ask you for forgiveness. However, as we see above, thats not what God does or asks you to do. God leads by example. He reached out to a broken world full of broken people. He made the first move. He sacrificed His life for you, whether you ever choose to follow Him or not. He did this regardless of your response, and it cost Him dearly.
God Does Not Grade Our Sins
John tells us that “if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.The word “all” is very important in that verse and also in verse 7.
Whether our sins are small or great whether few or many whether done once or oft-repeated the blood of Christ can cleanse them all every single one.
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What Sins Does God Not Forgive
New Testament passages
And so I tell you, any sin and blasphemy can be forgiven. But blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
How Often Should You Forgive
Peter came to him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven! .
Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. So how often do you have to keep releasing your right to get even?
Until you stop feeling the hurt then youll know youve forgiven that person.
Matthew 18:21-22 says, Peter came to him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven! .
Peter thought he was being pretty magnanimous. In Jewish law, you had to forgive a person three times, and after youd forgiven them three times, that was it. You didnt have to forgive them anymore. So Peters thinking, The law says three times. How about if I double it, and add in one for good measure? Seven times?
Its not easy. In fact, I have no doubt that for some reading this, your marriage is about to self-destruct not because of the hurt but because of the unforgiveness. Its not the hurt but the refusal to forgive that destroys a marriage.
You may say, I dont feel like forgiving. Who does? Nobody ever feels like forgiving. You do it because its the right thing to do, and you do it to get on with your life. These steps are not easy, but with Gods power, you can do it.
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