Unlimited Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

The question Peter asked Jesus was commonly discussed among the Jewish rabbis. The rabbis determined that forgiving someone up to three times was enough, but to go beyond that was excessive and unnecessary, even if they repented. Peter thought by saying he should forgive his brother up to seven times that he was being generous. He must have been shocked when Jesus responded by saying he should forgive not just seven times, but up to seventy times seven. In essence, Jesus told Peter he should show unlimited forgiveness towards a repentant person who sinned against him.

Our human nature struggles with forgiving someone who has wronged us, let alone if they have done it on multiple occasions. We typically think we are being generous if we give someone a second chance. The rabbis went one step further and said you should forgive someone three times. However, if we are to be like Christ and imitate Him, then our forgiveness has to go beyond these human limitations. King David confessed to the Lord and said, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight,” (Psalm 51:4). When you sin, even if it harms another person, ultimately, you are sinning against God. God’s forgiveness is immeasurable. He is willing to forgive you of every sin you have ever committed if you repent. When you consider how often you have sinned against the Lord, aren’t you glad His forgiveness is limitless? If the Lord is willing to forgive you even though you have committed so many wrongs against Him, then why should you hold a grudge against your brother? The next time someone sins against you, extend the same unlimited forgiveness to them that you would want the Lord to give to you.