Observations/Interpretation:
I asked myself what is the significance of Peter placing a number before Jesus about how many times to forgive a brother who sins against him?
In reality, I don’t think Peter wants to forgive someone who sins against him deliberately but feels like he is obligated to forgive because of Jesus in His life. So, to appease his conscience and duty to forgive, he asks Jesus is 7 times enough.

I asked myself what is the response of Jesus?
“Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times but seventy seven times!”

I asked myself what is the significance of Jesus’ response?
Jesus is making a profound response to Peter by stating that there should be no limit to forgiveness and that it should come from the heart no matter how many times a person does them wrong. Jesus does not want people to go around and count that they forgave a person 77 times or 70 x 7 and after that they need not forgive. That is far from the truth. Jesus wants forgiveness to become part of their life. What is more fascinating is that Jesus does not say to Peter that forgiveness should be offered only when they come and say sorry to you. On the contrary, forgiveness should be given when we have been sinned against! Wow!

Implications:

I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Forgiving someone should not be limited to a number such as 7 times or 70x7 but come from the heart with genuineness. Not only that, forgiveness should not be based on whether the person who wronged me comes and says they are sorry. But, I should take the high road and forgive someone even if they don’t tell me sorry. That is a hard path to take but when we are engulfed in the love of Christ, it can happen. Praise the Lord. The key is focusing on Christ and not myself.

I am so touched the number of times my loving wife Chandra forgives me for the same things I do over and over again. Many times she even says, ‘This is normal for you’ but then she forgives me anyway. It is as if no offense was committed in the first place because that is how she acts towards me when she forgives me.

Our marriage is not perfect but what makes our marriage strive the most is forgiving one another without putting limits on it. This forgiveness is not anything we can take credit for but all the credit goes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who became our Ultimate Forgiver when we did not deserve it.

This forgiveness we have been able to show each other is based on the love that the Lord Jesus has given us as we spend time with Jesus daily reading His Word, praying, and meditating on it.

“Love forgets mistakes but nagging about them parts the best of friends!” (Proverbs 17:9)

This translates into literally still being on our honeymoon as a dear sister Suzanne commented to us the other day. I do honestly feel like I am still on my honeymoon with my lovely sweet wife. Thank you Jesus!

It is not an easy road for me always because I am very, very sensitive. When conflict comes, I am guilty of not resolving it right away but my wife always takes the high road to help me overcome it as soon as possible. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Today’s devotional spoke to me powerfully about forgiveness. Thank you Jesus!

I ask you now dear friend, what stipulation do you put to forgive someone?
Dear friend, when Jesus spoke to Peter about forgiveness, Jesus did not put any stipulations when it came to forgiveness but wanted Peter to forgive from the heart. When Jesus said 70 X 7, Jesus was not putting a 490 times number to Peter so he can go around counting and then stop forgiving. On the contrary, Jesus wanted Peter to forgive from the heart always. Jesus wants us to do the same without putting stipulations.

There can be a lot of joy and happiness in marriages even through the conflict when conflict resolution involves forgiveness from the heart. I speak from experience. So many marriages can be saved if forgiveness and biblical principles of a healthy marriage are applied.

But it starts with Jesus. To be able to forgive, we need the help of the Lord Jesus and our love for Jesus should be higher than our love for anyone else. Help us Jesus. Because of this love, His love will permeate through all facets of life that we can start to love as we should love. When there is love, love does not bear a grudge but always believes in the best of everyone. Thank you Jesus! Help us Jesus!

Friend, forgiving someone for a same wrong two times seems ok, but the 3rd time the same thing is done, can really irritate. Peter may have felt that he was being really generous when he asked Jesus the question of forgiveness and suggested 7 times. Jesus did not say that's really cool Peter, at least you are willing to forgive 4 extra times. Rather Jesus made the point that you should forgive seventy-times seven to show that there should be no limit on forgiveness. Help us Oh Lord!          

One time or another you may have been hurt really badly by those you trusted, by those you fell in love with, by your close friends, or especially your family members. If you allow those hurts, resentment, and anger to be bottled up inside, the bitterness will slowly eat you away.

Did you know most ailments are a result of an unforgiving spirit because people don’t want to forgive?

In the process, they let bitterness, hate, revenge, etc. eat them alive to the point that they get sick. When we cannot forgive others, we cannot really have a cheerful heart but a broken spirit. This broken spirit will eat us on the inside and make us sick.

“A cheerful heart does good like medicine but a broken spirit makes you sick!” (Proverbs 17)

I can tell you from personal experience that forgiveness is the hardest thing to do and revenge seems much sweeter but it will start destroying you on the inside. Forgiveness is never easy but I know Jesus Christ will help us when we ask him for help to forgive those who have wronged us deeply. We forgive not just for the sake of the other person but most of all to set ourselves free. When we hold forgiveness from others, we hold ourselves in deep bondage. Jesus does not want that for us.

Jesus knows what unforgiveness can do and He wants to set each of us free so He went to the cross for us. I don't know about you but I ask God to forgive me for so many things and God does in His grace. I need to do the same.

This is not a message of condemnation but a message of deliverance so you can be free and help your friends be free who are holding an unforgiving spirit towards someone else. Matt 18 also has 'the parable of the unforgiving servant' that makes the analogy that if we are forgiven so many times and we don't grant that same forgiveness to others, we miss God's forgiveness in our own lives. The Lord's prayer has the verse: "Forgive us our transgressions as we forgive our transgressors".

Friend, maybe the issue of forgiveness has to do with you forgiving yourself for something that happened that you cannot take back. Maybe that guilt is eating you on the inside that you cannot function properly.

Friend, I want you to know that no matter what happened, Jesus loves you so much! He alone can rescue you and set you free from the bondage that you are held too. No matter where you have been or what you have done come to Jesus as you are and receive His forgiveness! You are never out of His love and never out of His reach!

 Even when we continue to make the same mistakes time after time, Jesus will still forgive us when we go to Him. If Jesus emphasized 70X7 to humans, He definitely will forgive us indefinitely. Yes, He will friend! This is why Jesus came so that we will find redemption through His grace. Grace is valiantly emphasized because Christ endured the cross for us so we can be free.

Never think God will not forgive you for He will! If you are struggling with a particular sin and seem to be held in bondage, please read Romans 7:14-8:1. Try offering the same forgiveness to those who have wronged you.

Even if you have a hard time forgiving someone else, let the Lord know that and express your feelings to him. Choose to forgive and allow the Lord to take care of the rest. He will.

Satan loves to feed of people who are unforgiving but the Lord wants to set you free. With the help the Lord gives, you can start to forgive. What has helped me to forgive is spending time in His Word and praying a lot.  For humans, forgiveness is not an instant process always and the Lord knows that. When we turn to Him, He will help us and forgive us!

Claim this promise for yourself:
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:11-12)

May you experience the love of the Lord in your life to forgive remembering for our redemption, grace is valiantly emphasized!

“For Our Redemption Grace Is Valiantly Emphasized!” (F.O.R.G.I.V.E)/”What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E someone?”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have forgiven us so many times. Well Lord, it is not easy for us to forgive those who have wronged us. It is really hard Lord. But, Lord you want us to forgive and so please help us Lord. We cannot do it on our own because our flesh loves to hate but your Spirit in us loves to love. We want you to fill us with so much love for those who have wronged us that we might be forgiving and show your love to the world. Thank you so much Jesus! We put our faith and trust in you to deliver us for without you it is hard to forgive. Thank you Jesus no matter how many times we sin, when we come to you for forgiveness, you do forgive us and are patient with us! We hold on to you so that you can help us forgive others. Thanks Jesus for dying for our sins and coming back to life to save us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen! Thanks you hear us and answer us! Amen!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, Holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)