490

"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven times.'" - Matthew 18:21 & 22

If you've been married more than eight seconds, you've had to forgive your spouse for something. Since forgiveness is an essential part of two people becoming one, I've been thinking about it a lot recently. So let me share with you the little bit of insight that God has granted me on this subject.

Forgiveness is complete. You cannot forgive partially or half-heartedly. In true, Biblical forgiveness there is no room to say, "I forgive you for this, but when you said that, you just went too far." Forgiveness is complete in such a way that it squeezes out any space in your heart for bitterness or resentment.

Forgiveness is continual. Sometimes you have to forgive someone, especially your spouse (who is a sinner just like you!), for the same sin over and over again. Even when you don't get an apology, you are called to forgive every time you are wronged. Seven times seventy, if my math is correct, is 490. Can you imagine forgiving someone for the same thing 490 times... or even more? Only by the grace of God is continual forgiveness possible.

Forgiveness is commanded. It's not optional. Withholding forgiveness is a sin. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive." - Colossians 3:12 &13

Forgiveness is a lot of things, but easy is not one of them. Let us not forget what we are called to, and let us be intentional about being both seekers and givers of forgiveness.

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As a quick update, I wanted to share with my blog readers (both of you) that Joel's track select went well, and he got the T-1's he was hoping for! Phase three is in full swing now, and Joel is doing very well on his tests and sims. Joel just finished the academic portion of T-1's, and was supposed to have his first actual flight today, but it was post-poned due to the weather. He'll have his first flight of phase three next week, after Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your prayers and support!