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“For Our Redemption Grace Is Valiantly Emphasized! (F.O.R.G.I.V.E)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

Editors Note: This devotional was originally sent through email on October 28, 1998 at 12:19:37 p.m. to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) students and others who wanted to receive daily devotionals at the University of Pittsburgh while I was serving at IVCF! It is being republished on Pittsburgh Standard today.

SCRIPTURE:

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive  my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times [70 x 7]." (Matt 18:21-22)

 I ask you now dear friend, why F.O.R.G.I.V.E, when it will happen again?

We hear the term 3 strikes and you are outta there not only in baseball but in real life when it pertains to different areas of life. Forgiving someone for a same wrong two times seems ok, but the 3rd time the same thing is done, many start to get really irritated. 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.

Jesus was emphasizing the importance of forgiveness when He said 70X7. It is in no way to be taken that I will forgive my brother 490 times and then no more. The important thing to realize is that we should not put a number on forgiveness but be forgiving. I don't know of people going around and counting, I forgave this person 100-200-300-400-490 times and no more.

One time or another you may have been hurt really badly by those you trusted, by those you felt 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. 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 wanted 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!".

Jesus loves you so much no matter where you have been or what you have done. 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. 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, you can always go to Him. 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)

"For Our Redemption Grace Is Valiantly Emphasized!" (F.O.R.G.I.V.E)/"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?"

Prayer:
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!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2013 DEVOTIONALS:

Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)

"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)

"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)

"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)