7 X 70

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sings against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" Matthew 18:21 & 22

Chris August sings a song called "7 X 70" that relates to the verses in Matthew. Chris talks about writing his song and how it was a very personal song. You can go on to youtube and find Chris talking about his song and the story behind it. To simply put it, Chris grew up in a broken home. And I think that when children are subdued to broken homes that they have to learn many life lessons early. I can testify to this.

Growing up for me was not life behind a white picket fence. My parents tried to give my sister and I the best childhood that we could ask for, but that was not easy. I can honestly remember for the longest time being the only child who had divorced parents. I can remember thinking, why do I have to be shuttled back and forth to my parents house. Then came denial for me. I had convinced myself that for about the first 6 months after my parents divorced that they would get back together. I quickly realized that this would not happen. I give credit to both of my parents.

Being from a blended family, I had to learn to forgive at a young age. I was honestly hurt by my parents when they got a divorce. (Hindsight...it was for the best then!!) But before I had to learn to forgive and even what the concept meant, Jesus Christ had long paid for my sins.

Throughout the Bible we learn about forgiveness and what it means. We learn that we must forgive those who hurt us so that we can be forgive. As a child, this was not an easy concept. Even as an adult, the task of forgiving someone does not come easy. I believe a lot of times we are either blind to our faults or we let pride get in the way.

77 times we are to forgive our brothers of their sins. WOW!!! Can you think of all the little sins that we have probably committed against our siblings. Each time we are suppose to forgive them as they have forgiven us. We as Christians should be showing the most grace and forgiveness. I know, we are human, how are we suppose to do this? My question then, how do come we continue to sin? Each time we sin, do we not ask God to forgive us? Each time we ask for forgiveness, does He not show us mercy?

I know I have mentioned a long time ago about the illustration of being in Heaven and at the dinner table. The person sitting to our left is the person that has forgiven us the most. The person to our right, well they are the person we have had to forgive the most. Sometimes they are the same person. Who do you need to show grace and mercy to today? Who do you need to go to and say, I'm sorry for the hard times I have caused and I want to say thank you for showing mercy and grace upon me.

"Who is God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." Micah 7:18