Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter approaching Jesus asked, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

In effect Jesus tells us that the number of times we must forgive others is limitless. It is truly the key to our salvation…as in completion and wholeness. You cannot move freely into the freedom of the kingdom of God while shackled in the chains of grudges and resentments. Jesus showed us the importance of forgiveness in the prayer that He taught us…when He instructed us to pray, “Forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In the book, The Four Things that Matter Most, author Ira Byock writes, “It is wrong to think that people need to feel forgiveness in order to give forgiveness. Forgiveness is actually about emotional economics. It’s about a one-time cost that you pay to clear up years of compounded emotional pain.” “Refusing to forgive is a decision to remain in debt.” God’s forgiveness is freely given to you. Pay it forward. Forgive…and be free!

Suggested song of the day—“God’s Love Is All You Need” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!