Freedom Unlimited

Not many options in life are unlimited. There is one important area, however, where we can determine how free we will be.

I’ve been studying *Parables” by John White. In Matthew 18:21, Peter asked a simple question, which in his mind had a simple answer. “How often should I forgive someone? Up to seven times?”

Wouldn’t that be easy? You wouldn’t even need all ten fingers to count them off!

Peter was probably shocked by Jesus’ response, but put yourself in his shoes. He was familiar with Old Testament scriptures which said you could retaliate an eye-for-an-eye, or a tooth-for-a-tooth (Exodus 21:23-24; Deuteronomy 19:21). With that mindset, doesn’t Peter’s idea seem generous?

Jesus was an expert at getting His point across. His parables or stories were simple enough for people of all ages and cultures to understand.

I was raised on the King James Bible which said to forgive 7X70, but some of the new translations say 77 times. I’m not going to argue over numbers because the point, as I see it, is this. Jesus was setting the bar high so we couldn’t easily say, “I’ve forgiven my limit. Now I quit!”

Forgiveness is not limited - - - it’s for a lifetime. What kind of life do you want to live? A stingy one, where you’re tied to a scorecard? Or, freedom - - - where you recognize the offense, but choose to forgive and move on.

There’s also a heavenly lesson here, not to be missed. Jesus had already taught about it in The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12). But now He reemphasized the point with the story of The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).

What could be simpler than His closing line? To be forgiven in heaven, we must forgive on earth (V. 35).

Freedom unlimited is available . . . but the choice is up to you.

*Parables by John White. Life Guide Bible Studies by Inter Varsity Press (ivpress.com), Downers Grove, Illinois. Copyright 1988, 1999. (also available through Christianbook.com)

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