Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

“The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.” – Marianne Williamson

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Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books (Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart). Thank you!

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Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter approaching asked Jesus, “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.”

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Peter thought he was being magnanimous in his suggestion that perhaps he should forgive up to seven times.

But Jesus then tells Peter in a figurative way that there is no cap on the number of times you forgive someone.

Basically, he wants Peter to forgive as many times as it takes to change the other person’s heart.

And the thing about forgiveness is that it transforms the heart of the one who’s offering it as well!

Keep in mind that Jesus was constantly coming into communion with people who were known sinners and far from perfect.

He was seeing beyond their personal failures to their inner core beauty.

Jesus saw each person as an unconditionally loved child of God.

When a person is recognized for his or her God-given infinite worth, that person’s deepest and truest self awakens.

Forgiveness is the key that opens the lock on the chains that separate us.

Since we are one body in Christ, beyond religion, withholding forgiveness keeps us in the delusion of separateness.

As I pointed out yesterday, Jesus prayed to God that all those who heard him may be one as God “is in me and I in you, that they also may be in us” (John 17:21).

I know that sometimes someone can do great harm to another and that the person harmed is not expected to simply remain in harm’s way.

But the person who has been hurt can and must be able to extend forgiveness to the perpetrator, or the hurt person will forever be plagued by a chain around their heart.

As Maya Angelou said, “Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”

Forgive and allow the Spirit of God to do the rest.

Follow Jesus’ example of forgiving his killers from the cross (Luke 23:34) – and be free.

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Listen to the song of the day “Radically Okay” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!