Forgive WHAT?

Forgiveness is a BIG word. It sounds so easy. It looks so easy. But is it?

When asked how often we should forgive, Jesus replied, "70 X 7 !"

Literally, that is 490 times. What if someone socked you in the stomach 490 times? Would you forgive them each time?

What if someone left dirty clothes on the floor everyday for 490 days? Would you forgive them each day?

What if someone said 490 hateful things about your child? Would you forgive all 490 cruel words?

490 times = 1 time per day for 16 months plus a few extra days. That's over a YEAR!

Jesus didn't mean we should forgive only 490 times, he meant we should forgive EVERY time!

Isn't he the perfect example of forgiveness? When he hung on the cross, beaten, bleeding, dying, he said, "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing?"

Forgiveness isn't easy, but it's powerful! It heals and it frees!

We can forgive the

...parent who made bad choices.

...driver who cuts us off.

...coach who isn't fair.

...spouse who doesn't do things our way.

...neighbor whose dog barks all night.

...boss who doesn't follow through.

...friend who lied.

...politician who promised.

We can forgive 490 plus because most of the time, they don't know what they are doing!