Forgive, as many times as you need to forgive

 SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN

(Matthew 18:21-35)

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)

We have heard the phrase to infinity and beyond, well, it generally means, to do something beyond what seems or is impossible to do. It's striving to reach beyond what you know is even possible for you to do. Knowing you cannot do it on your own, you call upon God to give you a big dream to go further than you ever could imagine going. Because only God is able to carry you to those heights. With God all things are possible, God and you can get it done. 

When you really stop and think about this phrase, it can become a little confusing. You would think infinity would be as far as you can go, but to infinity and beyond seems impossible. There is a place in the USA , its called The House On A Hill, it has a room that is called to infinity and beyond. Its hard to explain, but its a long needle shaped room, that sticks out over a canyon. You walk to a certain point , at that point there is still supports holding up the building. 

But beyond that point the room sticks a 100 plus yards out into space, at the end of that room is the infinity, in the end of the room is a small window to where you and look to the beyond. A mathematician Ian Stewart suggests that what is beyond infinity are yet bigger dreams.  You go on and on and on, there is no end in sight. You ask God for the wisdom and strength to go above and beyond what you in your human state could  only dream of doing.

Jesus brings this idea into the realm of forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus about forgiving another person, “How many times must I forgive him . . . seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). We’re to forgive others the way God forgives us (v. 33). Over and over, on and on. This seems impossible to me, but as I said before, all things are possible with God, who is God Omnipotent, the all powerful one.

It is impossible for us, to forgive others that many times, where there is no limit to our forgiveness. That’s why we Gods help every day, we need to come daily before the throne of God asking to be filled with the power of His Holy Spirit that we may GO TO "INFINITY AND BEYOND.  Lord God, help me, in forgiving over and over again, there are those who test our patience and we just want to hold them responsible forever. And we allow anger and resentment to build up against them, and in the end we just end up hurting ourselves and they get away scot free because we are carrying the load for them. It is better to forgive and let you deal with it. 

So Heavenly Father, please help me to be as generous and wise in forgiving others, by forgiving and being careful not to just be a door mat and letting them run all over me, but forgiving and reconciling and working with them to see them come into a right relationship with you. But I must forgive and accept the fact they are where they are, and they need to see that, and come to you in repentance. But also Lord help me take an inward look, to also see where I am at in the situation. Am I forgiving as you would forgive. Thank you Jesus, it is in your name I pray AMEN