How Many Times?

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 18:21-35; COLOSSIANS 3:12-14

"How many times should I forgive?” I asked.

“My friend has hurt me far too many times.

Would seven times forgiving be enough,

so pain would disappear and peace be mine?”

But then I heard Him say, “No, not enough.”

And then He named a number far too high—

I could not fathom how that could be done

until I looked into His gentle eyes.

He seemed to know that I might need it too,

forgiveness from another in my path,

someone who I might hurt along the way;

and I would seek forgiveness, not His wrath.

How many times? Now in my heart I know;

from Him, a never-ending surplus will flow.

This love will follow everywhere I go… • Sharon Roberts

• It can be hard to forgive someone who has hurt us. But Jesus doesn’t call us to do it alone. If we’ve put our trust in Him, we can know that He is with us always. And, through His Holy Spirit, He gives us the grace, healing, and love we need to forgive those who wrong us. Remember, God has forgiven all our sins—past, present, and future—through Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. When we look to the cross, it helps us see that we are on equal ground with the person who has hurt us. We need Jesus and His forgiveness just as much as they do. Consider spending some time in prayer, thanking God for His forgiveness and asking Him to help you see the person who wronged you as He sees them.

• In some cases of deep hurt, forgiveness might include setting up loving boundaries to prevent further sin and harm. If you’re wondering if you might need to set some boundaries, who are trusted adults you can talk to about it, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, and counselors?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NIV)