“Well then,” he muttered preposterously. “How many times do I have to forgive? Seven?”

I’m sure this number seemed like an impossible achievement and an unlikely requirement. “Surely,” he must have thought, “Jesus wouldn’t be asking for more than seven times!”

But, he was wrong. Numerically he wasn’t even close; spiritually he was light years away.

Here’s the exchange. Can you sense the desperate hope in Peter’s question?

(Mat 18:21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

(Mat 18:22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Notwithstanding that some Pharisaical minded Christian would actually keep a tally, the point is that forgiveness is not to be measured or counted. It is simply to be done.

My life struggle has taught me that it’s easiest and best to forgive while the transgression is being committed. I have learned that I can walk away clean and unprovoked if I will instantly forgive.

Is this difficult to do? Certainly. Am I one hundred percent successful? Hardly! But, I am more successful than not and continue to strive for perfection.

Why is forgiveness so problematic to us? I think it’s due to this four-letter word: SELF. Our “self” feelings master us unless we put them under the authority, care and tutelage of the Holy Spirit. When we are controlled by Him and not by “self” the seventy times seven mathematical “impossibility” becomes a doable reality in our life.

How’s your forgiveness math doing? Seven times or seventy times seven?

I pray the Lord blesses you today.

Warmly, in His love and life,

Roland Scroggins

© 2006