Becoming '7 x 70' people

What an interesting Bible study we had the other night at First AG VB. Our discussion was on forgiveness and specifically, the kind of forgiveness Jesus wants his church to operate in.

My friend Pastor Ed Shirell once told me about a discipleship class he once taught. where a different topic was taught every week until the topic of forgiveness arose. Pastor Ed taught on forgiveness for several weeks due to the amount of hurt and pain the class of new believers had experienced. My daughter Abigail once speaking to our congregation said, “Forgiveness is difficult, but it’s necessary.”

So the other night we were studying Matthew, chapter 18. Jesus starts the chapter talking about the type of faith we must have. He the talks about self-control and if a body part offends you to cut it off. Jesus talks about what to do when someone sins against you. It is this conversation that brings up Peter’s question.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me. Seven times?”

“No, not 7 times Jesus said, but 70 times 7.” Matthew 18:21-22.

Peter’s response to his own question of seven times deals with the fact that seven is the number of completion. Peter thought his response was full of grace. However, it wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Jesus’ outlook when it comes to forgiveness.

It is the next passage of scripture that really got the questions flying in the Bible study. In verse 23 Jesus begins to tell a story about a man who owed the king a lot of money. The man had so much debt that that the king ordered the man, his wife and children be sold into slavery in order to pay off his debts. All the man’s possessions would be sold as well. Jesus said the man fell to his knees and immediately begged for mercy. So, the king forgave the man of the debts and let him go.

You would think that should be the end of the story. You would think the man would go away grateful to the king taking away his debts. You would think he would embrace his wife and kiss her on the lips. You would think he would embrace his kids and he would tell them how much he loves them. The grateful man would then lead the family in prayer thanking God for forgiving his debt and setting him and his family free.

However, Jesus spoke of an unfortunate ending! The man was not grateful. He did not see his situation at all as praiseworthy. In fact, he left the king’s presence and went directly to find a servant who owed him money. When the debt-forgiven man found the servant who owed him money, he began choking him. The other servants went to the king knowing the man had been forgiven his debts. The King called him in and sentenced the man to be tortured until the debt was paid.

“There are a few other gifts that go with the gift of forgiveness. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 NLT

Confession and repentance are powerful gifts the Lord has given us. How comforting it is to know we have a God we can confess our sins to. The measure of our repentance and confession will also determine the measure we forgive. Praise the Lord! Let us develop a culture of repentance and forgiveness. We are 70 x 7 people!

Here are four verses about what God wants us to be when it comes to forgiveness.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:13-15

“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” Psalms 86:5 NLT

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9

“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:12

70x7 people forgive and forget because that is what Jesus does. Jesus’ heart is shown to us in the Lord’s Prayer...“forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.” Evangelist Kevin Daniels said recently, “If you’re going to be a forgiven person, you will have to be a forgiving person” (Mark 11:25).

We must be people with grateful hearts that only come from the redeeming power of Jesus. Jesus cleanses us from our sins and he remembers our sins no longer. May we be people that forgive others unconditionally and allow the grace of God penetrate their hearts. Have a great week!

Dave Truncone is the pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Van Buren. He is married to Heidi and they have two daughters, Hannah, and Abigail. They live in Van Buren.