Matthew 18:21-22: (21) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? (22) Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
When someone hurts me or my family, my first intial responce is to hurt them back. I know that is not the way Jesus would respond but it is the honest first thing that comes to my mind.
So what do we do then? What is the proper responce? Forgive and forget.
That is exactly what Jesus did when Peter denied knowing him. Not only did Peter deny knowing Jesus, but he did it three times. Jesus predicited he would do this. (Luke 22:34) It was actually three days later, after Jesus died and rose again, that Jesus reconciled himself to Peter. (John 21:15-19)
And Jesus forgives Peter with such ease. Jesus never mentions Peter's denying him. Not one time.
I can't say the same when someone hurts me. It is so easy with my sinful nature to bring up past accusations.
I have a boxing buddy who is a very close friend of mine. I have ran out of fingers and toes to count how many times he has hurt me. There were times that he hurt me so bad, that he could never hurt like that in the ring. Trust me when I say that being hurt and betrayed emotionally, hurts more than physical. But I have forgiven him each time. That's what I'm suppsoed to do. See Matthew 18:21-22 again.
The important thing is that I have learned through the love that Jesus showed for me by dying on the cross for my sins how important it is to forgive someone who hurts me. This is something that I always have to keep in the front of my mind,especially if I make the mistake of hurting someone else.
The question I have for you is this...Is there someone out there that is looking for your forgiveness, or vice versa?
I pray that God will heal all friendship and relationships that are in need of healing. I know that is a pretty big prayer,but God can do anything.
God Bless everyone.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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