Monday, October 11, 2010

70 x 7 rule

I have been doing a study on forgiveness for the book I am currently writing. Because of different circumstances in my life, I have learned a few things about forgiveness. For instance, did you know that forgiveness is a choice?

That's right!
 It is up to me, it is my choice whether or not I will forgive someone who has hurt me. It is not up to that other person but me. Choices...we are all faced with them each day, but how many of us wake up each morning and contemplate who we will forgive this day. In the Fathers Prayer, it says, "Forgive those who trespass against us." So I know I have to make a choice.

But we have to choose wisely!
What if we choose poorly? What if the offense is far too great to forgive? Are we suppose to still forgive it?

MATTHEW 18:21, 22 “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

In order for us to understand and grasp hold of the 70x7 rule, we must understand the power of God's forgiveness. We must recognize that we are forgiven through His shed blood and He is faithful to forgive those who ask for forgiveness and repent of their wrong doing. Not once, not twice, but 70 times 7!

God has already made up His mind ... He chooses to forgive you, if you will accept it. Who will you choose to forgive today?

Please give me some feedback for my book. I am looking for your insight on forgiveness for my devotional book that I am currently writing. I may not be able to use all of the comments received, but will use as many as possible. CLICK HERE to answer the question..."Define forgiveness and what is the hardest thing for you to forgive?"

3 comments:

Krista said...

yes, forgiveness is a choice we have to make. It's NOT a "feeling" it's a "choice". Most of the time we are not going to "feel" like forgiving someone who hurt us. Our hearts feel "hurt" and we don't want to forgive them because we still are feeling hurt. But its up to us to choose to forgive! When we make a choice to forgive, the feelings of forgiveness will follow!

Holly said...

I agree Laurie about forgiveness being a choice....
I always say: We can't control what another person's actions are... but we can control our reaction to them!

Have a blessed day,

Holly

Denise said...

Forgiveness is definitely a choice, and we must choose wisely.