Forgive and Forget by Dr Paul Chappell

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Forgiving and Forgetting

by Dr. Paul Chappell

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21–22

Clara Barton, who helped save the lives of many soldiers and bring relief to those suffering from disaster and tragedy as the founder of the American Red Cross, suffered a number of attacks. When someone reminded her of one of them, she acted as though it had never happened. “Don’t you remember that?” the friend asked. “No,” Barton replied, “I distinctly remember forgetting it.”

It is not possible for us to fully forget what has happened, but we do not have to allow it to dominate our thoughts and actions. The key to forgiveness begins when we stop keeping track of wrongs done to us. Peter seemed to think he was going above and beyond the call of duty by forgiving someone who sinned against him seven times. Jesus went far beyond what Peter expected by setting the standard at 490 times. Of course the point of that is not that we count until we get close to 500, but that we keep on forgiving.

God freely forgives us. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” God forgave us because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us—and based on His forgiveness He expects us to extend forgiveness to others. We do not forgive others because they deserve it. Instead, we forgive them because it is right. If you are holding tightly to wrongs done against you in the past, you will never experience the freedom and joy that comes with letting go. Each time you are reminded of what happened, remind yourself that you have already forgiven that and let it go.

Today's Growth Principle:
Nothing that has been done to you is beyond forgiving if you trust God enough to obey.