How often should I forgive?

Forgiveness is something I have been thinking a lot about lately, especially how God forgives us.  When Peter asked Jesus, "How many times should I forgive my brother?  Up to seven times?"  I have read the rabbinic teaching of that time said it was good to forgive three times.  Jesus replies in Matthew 18:22,  "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  Peter no doubt thought forgiving someone seven times was very generous, but Jesus demonstrated grace and forgiveness beyond Peter's wildest expectations.  Jesus never told His disciples to do what He had not already done.  The fact is, He has forgiven me more times than seventy times seven.  God does not limit His forgiveness quota at 490 of course, for His capacity and desire to forgive is limitless.  The sins of the entire world were placed upon Christ on the cross, and His blood cleanses us from all sin.

A sister came up to me today at church and shared something God has recently taught her concerning forgiveness.  She said she has realized forgiveness is not a one-time thing.  Sometimes when we are hurt deeply it is very hard to forgive.  Even when we have made a conscious choice to forgive, old hurts have a way of being brought to remembrance.  We might say to God, "But I've already forgiven that person."  God's words to my sister in Christ were, "Forgive until it stops hurting."  Forgiveness is not a one-time thing or a seven time thing:  it is a continual process of forgiving which frees us from bitterness, resentment, hate, and suffering.  When we give the wrongs done to us to our Savior who is willing to free and deliver us from the solitary confinement of unforgiveness, He helps us.

As with forgiveness, repentance is often seen as a one-time thing.  Those who are mature in faith recognize their sin with more clarity than ever before.  When they read the scriptures and see Barabbas, they seem themselves.  When they read of people faltering in faith or the unbelief of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness they will not mock or scorn, because their eyes are moist with the knowledge they are looking through a window to the deceit and wickedness of their own flesh.  If a person says he is without sin he deceives himself and calls God a liar.  Therefore, we ought to continually repent for our transgressions.  In the same way, we must forgive even the same wrong over and over and over again until we no longer feel the dull or sharp pain of that wrong against us, no matter how horrible it was and still is.  Regardless of how that wrong has forever changed our lives, Jesus has the power and strength to change our lives even more for the better.

When Jesus was crucified upon the cross He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  We are the ones whom Christ pleaded be forgiven.  He knows "there is none good, no not one.  There is none who understands, there is none who seeks after God."  I am numbered among this group.  On my own I could never understand any spiritual truth, and in my flesh dwells no good thing.  But by His grace God has forgiven me and reconciled me to Himself, adopting me into the family of God as co-heir with Jesus Christ!  To whom much is given much is required, and Jesus has forgiven me much.  Let us do good and forgive for the glory of God.  Every time you forgive it will take you to a deeper level of forgiveness, like pulling a cabbage apart leaf by leaf.  There is healing and restoration waiting for us if we will be obedient to forgive and keep on forgiving!