Forgive and forgive again

by Patricia Broyles

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

Have you ever thought about what to do with the hurtful memories of somebody you have already forgiven? You don't want it to become bitterness, but now something has triggered your memory about that pain.

When Jesus taught about forgiving He didn't mean for us to forgive up to 490 times and not a single time more, so we need to leave math out of it and realize that as Christ has forgiven us, we also must give that same forgiveness to others with no limits.

It would be incredible if by forgiving we also forgot, but many times the “forgetting” part is impossible. We are born in this sinful flesh which fights the Holy Ghost that inhabits us. We also live in a fallen world of which satan is the ruler, so many things that were already forgiven will probably reappear at some point in our lives. There are countless possibilities that can trigger the memories of a hurt. However, to forgive someone is to decide to pardon an offender, it doesn't matter the case or the size of the hurt, and it is not to be measured or deserved. Circumstances may not be favorable, but our God is greater! “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  I John 4:4

When christians refuse to forgive, they are not only hindering their relationship with each other but also harming their fellowship with the Lord.

Forgiveness does not mean to forget, but yet our Lord in His Holiness forgives us and will never bring it up again, and so should we. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

Someone once said: GRACE = God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Yes, to forgive someone has a cost. God gave His only Son to be the payment for our sins so we might have forgiveness. Jesus the perfect Lamb of God, is what it cost the Father. He forgave us even when we were His enemies. So who are we to not forgive? When we don't forgive we dishonor God, discourage the church, push the lost away and in the end God is not glorified. We need Jesus to be forgiven and we need Jesus to forgive others.

So in moments that satan uses our minds to play tricks on us bringing up all the hurtful memories, give it to the Lord and decide to forgive again! We must not allow any seed of bitterness in our hearts.

True forgiveness sets prisoners free, the offender and the offended, and this act glorifies our Lord. Forgiveness has no limit, so do it freely. Forgiveness brings joy, so do it cheerfully. Forgiveness brings glory to God, so do it faithfully. To forgive is a deeper way of loving - to forgive is love in action.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32