Seven Times Seventy equals Forgiveness in Heaven – By C D Swanson~
“I find it hard to forgive her, she hurt my feelings and I’m not going to forget anytime soon!” A friend of mine was adamant about a situation that was causing great anguish in not only her life, but in her family as well. She was nursing a grudge that was beyond the infantile stage, she nursed it into a “giant monster.” It grew exponentially as she stroked it with bitterness, revengeful throughts, and with vitrious acts and outlandish behavior.
In Acts 24:16 It is apparent that we’re called to “exercise our faith.” No one can do that for us. We can’t hire someone to “work out” for us…or to merely think about it. We’re called to relentlessly pursue our faith in earnest, and exercise it with all of our mind body and soul. Because if we don’t…we’ll be facing major pitfalls in our life.
It’s a safe and foregone conclusion to state that exercising is a key component to keeping our flesh bodies in top physical shape. However, the same holds true for our spitirual side. Exercising our souls is crucial to being “fit” as a person of faith in order to elevate to a level in which we are “super-fit” in spirituality.
One of the exercises in being a person of faith, as Jesus tells us, is to “forgive” and not to bear grudges. The enemy works our entire life to bring us into the “pit” and longs to ” keep us in chains of bondage”–and so works at us continuously, chipping away trying to get us to surrender to him…but when we release and forgive, even when it might be difficult to do so…even when it goes against all that you’re feeling…to forgive is to be set free.
In Matthew 18:21-35 – Jesus speaks about forgiveness through a parable of the “unforgiving servant” — who was forgiven by his master for debts he owed. However, when it came time to forgive someone who owed him, he did not forgive the way he was forgiven, and chose to have the servant tormented daily until he paid him back in full. He didn’t show the mercy that was shown to him.. So then Jesus warns, “forgive our debtors. for if we don’t our Father in heaven won’t forgive our debts.” Jesus tells us to forgive not seven times seven, but seven times seventy, each and every single day.
Holding on to resentment is to darken our souls, is to bring us anguish and anxiety and torment. Resentment, grudges and an unforgiving soul is like drinking a bottle of poison and expecting your adversary to die. It won’t do any such thing to your adversary, but it will in fact KILL YOU.
Forgive, move forward…and exercise your soul daily through dedication, reading His word and meditation…and then asking our Father to give us strength to take on the fiery darts by becoming a victor, and not a victim. Ask for His blessings while we wear and take on the full armor of God. The breastplate, the helmet of salvation and gird yourself with the truth…while staying on the narrow path.
As for my friend, she is still angry and nursing that grudge…and she doesn’t realize what it’s doing to her soul. I pray that one day she’ll be set free and choose the light of eternal salvation by saying four very important words—
…I forgive her Father…
Matthew 18:21-35King James Version (KJV)
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.