October 19
From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Extent of Forgiveness

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven.”     (Matthew 18:22)

Peter’s question indicated his thoughts were much like the Jewish leaders or any other fallen person was inclined to think. His ideas on forgiveness were in the measurable, limited terms of the law rather than the immeasurable, unlimited terms of grace.

But Jesus’ answer here is not merely extending the legal limits of forgiveness — certainly not the bare number 490. His illustration simply indicates a number that, practically speaking, is beyond counting. Keeping strict accounts is not considered, and neither is it by a believer with a sincere heart of forgiveness. That person forgives the 1000th offense as readily as the first, because that’s how God forgives him.

Jesus’ statement may have been an allusion to Lamech’s boast that “if Cain is avenged seven-fold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold” (Genesis 4:24). Sinful people always want to return evil for evil without limit. But Jesus said to return good for evil without limit.

On another occasion, Jesus said even if a brother “sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:4). This refers not to some daily forgiveness limit, but to regular sinning committed many times daily, day after day, and the corresponding forgiveness. The mature believer will never let his own forgiveness be surpassed by a brother’s sin. When callous sin against him increases, so does his gracious forgiveness — which reflects the divine nature (Romans 5:20; Ephesians 4:32).

Ask Yourself:
Perhaps you struggle with a sin that, as much as you hate to admit it, has been known to trip you up on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. Without giving yourself permission to continue in disobedience, what does it mean to you that your Lord and Savior’s forgiveness is unlimited?