.jpg)
Forgiveness
Dr. David Davis
Matthew 18:21
Dwight L. Moody said, "There is one sin -- one failure that is doing more to hold back the power of God and revival in the lives and hearts of Christians more than any other sin -- and that is the sin of an unforgiving spirit."
Matthew 18:21 - "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times?"
Jesus was talking about someone in the church who had sinned and He instructed that the brother should be recovered. Simon Peter began to wonder about this and perhaps he was even thinking about a brother that had wronged him. Simon Peter then started figuring that surely there must be some limit to forgiveness when wronged by someone. Surely we can't continue to forgive someone over and over again. So Simon Peter asked the Lord the question: "How many times -- if a man sins against you -- should you forgive him -- Oh, I know -- once, twice, thrice, -- Oh, it must be seven times. That's the perfect number! How many times? Seven times?"
The Lord said: "Not seven times -- seventy times seven!" Jesus didn't mean 490. By using that number -- as many times as he sins -- forgive him.
Forgiveness is not a matter of mathematics. Just forget the arithmetic. It is a matter of the heart -- not the head. It is not a matter of totaling up and figuring up. Every time he comes in repentance -- you ought to forgive.
How many people could you name who have sinned against you -- even if you would use the figure of 490 times?
Now -- use 490 times as it relates to your failure toward God.
The key is forgetting -- not remembering. Because every time you forgive a person -- you are to forget -- so if they sin against you -- it would be as if it were only the first time. Isn't that the way it with the Lord? At least you better hope it is!
You always forgive the first time because all the other times are gone. When God forgives us -- He always forgives the firs ...
Dr. David Davis
Matthew 18:21
Dwight L. Moody said, "There is one sin -- one failure that is doing more to hold back the power of God and revival in the lives and hearts of Christians more than any other sin -- and that is the sin of an unforgiving spirit."
Matthew 18:21 - "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times?"
Jesus was talking about someone in the church who had sinned and He instructed that the brother should be recovered. Simon Peter began to wonder about this and perhaps he was even thinking about a brother that had wronged him. Simon Peter then started figuring that surely there must be some limit to forgiveness when wronged by someone. Surely we can't continue to forgive someone over and over again. So Simon Peter asked the Lord the question: "How many times -- if a man sins against you -- should you forgive him -- Oh, I know -- once, twice, thrice, -- Oh, it must be seven times. That's the perfect number! How many times? Seven times?"
The Lord said: "Not seven times -- seventy times seven!" Jesus didn't mean 490. By using that number -- as many times as he sins -- forgive him.
Forgiveness is not a matter of mathematics. Just forget the arithmetic. It is a matter of the heart -- not the head. It is not a matter of totaling up and figuring up. Every time he comes in repentance -- you ought to forgive.
How many people could you name who have sinned against you -- even if you would use the figure of 490 times?
Now -- use 490 times as it relates to your failure toward God.
The key is forgetting -- not remembering. Because every time you forgive a person -- you are to forget -- so if they sin against you -- it would be as if it were only the first time. Isn't that the way it with the Lord? At least you better hope it is!
You always forgive the first time because all the other times are gone. When God forgives us -- He always forgives the firs ...
There are 13110 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
