Moment of Meditation: How Many Times? (Matthew 18:21-22)

''Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

One of the greatest practical questions ever asked. "How often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" I have nine brothers and sisters. How many times do I have to forgive them before I can say enough is enough?

In the Old Testament, God seems to draw the line at four: "For three transgressions ... and for four, I will not revoke the punishment" (Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6). The rabbis said that forgiveness for the same sin had only to be given three times. At the fourth time, the sinner was beyond forgiveness.

But where does that leave us? Is there a sin you've committed four times? Of course there is. There's probably a sin or two that you've committed four times since you've gotten up this morning.

But Peter wants to make himself seem better and giving people seven times. But Jesus turns it around and says seventy-seven times. Not that we're to keep count. We're to continue forgiving those who sin against us. Just as Christ continues forgiving us every time we sin against Him. What would happen if Christ stopped forgiving you? You'd be left with no recourse. You'd be condemned to hell for all eternity. All because Jesus would be unwilling to forgive you. But Jesus died on the cross so that you might have the full forgiveness of your sins. And in this forgiveness He only asks that you be grateful. Listen next time for what happens to the ungrateful. Amen.