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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.
Forgiveness is a trait of our God and one that Jesus exhibited throughout his ministry. We are also to practice forgiveness by forgiving others when they wrong us. Not just the first time they wrong us, every time. Forgiveness is evidence of our love for others, just as it is a sign of God’s love for us.
Psalm 103:11-12
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Forgiveness is simple but often goes against every instinct that we have. We want to protect ourselves, we want people to feel the pain they inflict on us. Jesus’ ways are not like that. Emulating him is often not easy.
God forgives us of a lifetime of sin, sins worth death and hell. He reveals the value of his people by his actions. We should value our brothers and sisters in Christ the way he does. Forgive them. In doing so we are emulating Jesus.