Sunday, March 25, 2012

How much is seventy-seven times?

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32


I read this quote for the first time tonight and agree so much with the truth of it. Forgiveness feels so much better inside than holding onto anger. It is not just that forgiveness is the right thing to do. It also feels right. Because holding on to the anger just hurts yourself. Don't you think? And I love that Paul says in Ephesians, not to just forgive but to be kind and compassionate. I think that true forgiveness can only really happen when you are able to genuinely be kind and feel compassion for the one who has (or continues to) hurt you. When you are able to do that, it is so freeing. Even if you have to do it over and over again.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
- Matthew 18:21-22

2 comments:

  1. How did you know that I needed this?
    Forgiveness is so powerful. Just the act of saying "I'm sorry" is worth everything when we let go of the anger and the hurt.
    pve

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