Forgiveness

Sunday morning our topic in Bible study was Relationships and it centered around the subject of forgiveness. Here are two things that I came away with.

God wants us to be a forgiving people. It is clear from scripture (Matthew 6:12, 14-15, Matthew 18:35 and others) that in order to receive forgiveness we must forgive others. That is hard to do because we still want to retain the law of revenge, we want to get even, not forgive, but God didn't give us an option, he made it a command.

Second, forgiveness is unlimited. Peter asks the question "How many times must I forgive my brother if he sins against me?" Peter was being generous and suggested 7 times but Jesus replies with a huge number that basically says there is no limit. It isn't 77 or 70 times 7 but it is limitless.

Failure to forgive separates us from fellowship with the Father. Jesus told us that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and the second was to love our neighbor as ourself. Love always forgives.