Verse of the Day 1/29
Matthew 18:21-22 Later Peter approached Jesus and said, "How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?"
22 Jesus answered, "Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times! The Passion Translation (TPT)
Today's verses came up as yesterday's read through the Bible plan. The heading of the passage and parable from The Passion Translation is "Unlimited Forgiveness". When Peter asks "how many times must I forgive, seven times?", the notes from TPT says that in Hebrew it literally means "seven times in one day". We may have a tolerance and willingness to forgive someone on a regular basis, but seven times in one day may be a little bit hard to swallow.
If you know someone who has dementia or perhaps has a brain injury or something that robs them of short term memory, they may ask you something and 5 minutes later they ask the same question. This may happen countless times. It may aggravate you but when you stop and and realize that it is the disease or injury that causes them not to remember you can't hold it against them. It is not a sin, but there is a correlation. How many times do we sin against God in someway. If we are willing to admit it, there may be sins that we commit 7 times or more in a day, and what is our excuse before God?
We need to seek forgiveness and God willingly does forgive us. How then do we react to others who know what they are doing and still do it? Do we have that kind of grace?
If we are the offender to someone, do we seek God's grace and help to overcome the sin?
Read the passage below and read the following words from the Casting Crowns song, "Jesus, Friend of Sinners". May our hearts be aligned with His and may we put down "the sword never ours to swing".
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours (Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Matthew 18:21-35 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down [a]at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you [b]all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [c]his trespasses."
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