How Often to Forgive?

Scripture/Bible:  Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." Matt 18:21-35

Reflection: How often we may have heard preachers and teacher talk about this subject of forgiveness.  It is nevertheless a very important subject in Christian living and the message is loud and clear to anyone who has doubt that forgiveness is not an option; if your brother or sister sins against you or if you are wronged by them, then you need to forgive.  

Forgive them even seventy times seven, comprehensively and completely and that too infinitely.          

What happens if a brother sins against God or others, Lord what do we do? How often should we forgive such a brother or sister? What happens if a brother or sister is a scandal to the faith? Or comes with a false doctrine and heresy and preaches the same?

Faithfulness to God demands that with love in our hearts we do rebuke and correct such a brother and sister. Such an action may be considered as unforgiveness or unchristian but it is nevertheless a necessary action for the sake of the primacy of the faith which always gains precedence above every action.

Jesus action in the temple (Jn. 2:13-25) or Paul having a believer punished for his wayward life in the Corinthian Church (1 Cor. 5:3-5) and rebuking Peter for acting false to the faith (Gal. 2:11-14) are few examples of rebuke and correction.  So also we have serious instances where by the Apostle John discourages a Christian from receiving someone who holds on to a false doctrine (2Jn. 10).

Another instance we have is the passage preceding this: “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”  Matt 18:17

Prayer:   Lord, make help me to be wise in your ways amidst the confusion I face while serving you.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us