70 x 7: Two Thoughts
Matthew 18:21-22
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.
(NKJV)
2 Thoughts on Matthew 18:21-22
1. If the Lord requires us to forgive one another an unlimited number of times (which scholars agree 70 x 7 or 490 means) then wouldn't He also forgive us an unlimited number of times?
When I start getting concerned about making the same mistakes over and over, or sinning in the same way again and again, I am comforted by these verses.
2. How is it possible to have one person sin against you this many times? Or an unlimited number of times?
ONLY, if you stay in relationship with them. Jesus would not have needed to say this, if He did not expect us to forgive and continue relating to the person. You can't have someone repeatedly sin against you if you drop them and refuse to reconcile.
This is not to say someone in an abusive or dangerous situation should stay in it, but I wonder if as Christians, we are too quick to write people off when they hurt us or annoy us?
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