Seventy Times Seven

It never ceases to amaze how many Christians who recite the “LORD’s Prayer,” on a regular basis and never think about the curse that they are praying against themselves. 

The part that is the curse is when they pray to the LORD, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  They are asking God to forgive them as they forgive others.  Then they continue to hold on to grudges and hold hatred against someone for a trespass.

The disciples asked Jesus, “Do we have to forgive seven times?”  Actually it was Peter, but he was the spokesman for the rest.  The question was really, “When can I start holding a grudge against my brother, friend, neighbor or fellow man?”  They were looking for a way out of forgiving.  They were missing the point of Jesus’ teachings.

Matthew 18:21-22 KJV Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

When Jesus said seventy times seven or 490 times, it was a number that implied an unlimited number of times.  NEVER STOP FORGIVING!

It is our human nature to always want to know how much and for how long.  But what Jesus was teaching, was not things we should or should not do; the law addressed those.  Jesus was describing a whole new way of thinking; he was talking about becoming a new person; not bound by carnality; but bound by the Holy Ghost; His Spirit living with in us. 

We don’t just forgive, we become forgiveness.  We don’t just stop murdering; we replace hateful thoughts with loving thoughts.  We don’t just worship the LORD, we embody oneness with Him.  We put on the mind of Jesus Christ!  Christian faith is not something that we practice, it becomes who we are and it defines us!

Philippians 2:1-8 KJV If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

When we repent of sin and bury the ways of this world and our past under the watery grave of baptism in Jesus’ name and arise out of that pool; God sends the gift of the Holy Ghost to reside not only with us and around us; but God actually lives within us.  We become a new creature and all things are new!

Philippians 4:7 KJV And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

FORGIVENESS ACCOMPLISHES THE FOLLOWING IN OUR LIVES:

1.    Allows us to perform a divine act

2.    Aligns us more perfectly with Jesus Christ

3.    Is proven to relieve stress and promote physical health

4.    Gives us a Peace that passes all understanding

We are called to a lifetime of becoming transformed in Jesus Christ.  The only way that we will accomplish this is through following the example of the Apostle Paul who died daily to sin in repentance and being immersed in prayer and Bible Study.  The WORD of God must live within us!