Forgiveness Under Fire

21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Jesus had just finished teaching the disciples how to handle disagreements and conflict when Peter raised the question about forgiveness. Peter wanted to put, what he considered, a generous limit on how many times he - and we - must be gracious and merciful to those who seem to be against us. Jesus rejected Peter's limited thinking with a story (verses 23-35) that exposes the hypocrisy that everyone wants to receive mercy without giving mercy.

We sin against or hurt one another all the time - sometimes unknowingly, and other times fully aware. Selfishness and self-centeredness can make it difficult to see our own faults, failures, and sins as clearly as we see those in others. When we fail to release our brothers and sisters from the hurt they've caused, we bind ourselves all the more tightly to the destructive path where no one wins. We often fear that forgiveness condones hurtful behavior, but it actually communicates a determination to move beyond the place of harm to a place of wholeness and peace. This peace was purchased by the One who laid down his very life even while we were and are still sinners.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:8-12)