Got a scoreboard? Today’s Holy Nougat
could be just for you!
“Yeshua said to him, “No, not up to seven times, I tell you, but seventy times seven!”
Matthew 18:22 TLV
I tell you, Jesus’ response just about did me in. This word has lingered in my subconscious forever! It’s one of those that can’t be un-seen. And it isn’t so easily forgotten.
Perhaps you’re one of those blessed with hearing my practical experience of this directive; and if you are, my apologies. But I felt I found the loophole – that very same one Peter sought – and I tried using it. Take my word for it if you haven’t already learned the tedious way; it’s not helpful.
Suffice it to say that despite trying to count each persons’ individual wrongs I lost count of every one. More than that though, is the add-on effect of 1 Corinthians 13; Love keeps no ‘wrongs-scorecard’. So if I truly love; if you truly love, then keeping score has to be a thing of the past. No rubbing nose in the wrongs done, for that only starts new heartache.
So if seventy-seven or seventy times seven doesn’t work for us; why does Jesus respond in that way? Perhaps to underscore the futility of our desire to place limits on forgiveness. It really is a lesson best learned quickly. (Especially when we don’t want Jesus doing the same with us).
Where does that leave us – trying to figure Forgiveness. And that’s for another day. In the meantime; we seek forgiveness for our selfishness AND close the Wrongs-scorecard! A total waste of time and takes us away from our praise.
Loving God, help us ditch the scorecard; for it doesn’t help us live in the abundance You promised. And though we don’t deserve it; please forgive our stupidity in seeking what we won’t share – that right there is not of You. Order our actions as we live in love with and for You we pray dear Y’shua amen
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May all we seek be found in Christ