Limitless Grace Forgive your brother 7 x 70 times.

 **"Forgive Your Brother 7 x 70 Times"**  

*A Reflection on Christ’s Call to Radical Forgiveness*  

**Scripture Foundation:**  

*"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’"*  

**(Matthew 18:21-22, NIV)**  

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### **1. The Heart of Jesus’ Command**  

Jesus’ response (some translations say *"70 x 7"*) wasn’t about math—it was about **limitless grace**. In Jewish tradition, forgiving someone *three times* was considered generous (Amos 1:3). Peter likely thought *seven times* was extravagant. But Jesus shattered all human calculations:  

- **"77 times"** = *Forgiveness without keeping score.*  

- **"70 x 7"** = *Forgiveness as a lifestyle, not a quota.*  

**Key Truth:**  

*"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."* (Ephesians 4:32)  

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### **2. Why Must We Forgive Repeatedly?**  

- **Because God does.**  

  - David praised God for *"crowning [us] with love and compassion"* (Psalm 103:4)—the same Hebrew word (*racham*) describes a mother’s relentless love for her child.  

  - Jesus’ parable of the *unforgiving servant* (Matthew 18:23-35) warns: *We who’ve been forgiven much cannot withhold forgiveness.*  

- **Because bitterness enslaves.**  

  - Unforgiveness is a *self-inflicted prison* (Hebrews 12:15).  

  - Jesus tied forgiveness to *freedom in prayer* (Mark 11:25).  

- **Because love "keeps no record of wrongs"** (1 Corinthians 13:5).  

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### **3. How Do We Forgive Like This?**  

**A. Acknowledge the Hurt**  

- Jesus didn’t minimize sin. He called it *"sin"* (Matthew 18:15)—yet still commanded forgiveness.  

**B. Release the Debt**  

- Forgiveness is *not* excusing evil but *entrusting justice to God* (Romans 12:19).  

**C. Repeat as Needed**  

- When memories resurface, declare: *"I forgive again, by the power of Christ in me."*  

**D. Lean on Grace**  

- *"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"* (Philippians 4:13)—including forgive what feels unforgivable.  

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### **A Prayer for 7 x 70 Forgiveness**  

*"Father, today I bring You my wounded heart.  

The hurt is real, but Your grace is deeper.  

By the power of Jesus’ blood—  

**I choose to forgive [name] again.**  

I release them from my courtroom.  

I surrender my right to repay.  

Heal my heart as I obey Your command.  

Keep me from bitterness; fill me with Your love.  

Thank You for forgiving me *70 x 7 times*—  

Help me reflect that mercy today.  

In Jesus’ name, Amen."*  

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### **Final Encouragement**  

- **Forgiveness is a journey**, not a one-time event.  

- **You’re not alone**—the Holy Spirit empowers you (Galatians 5:22-23).  

- **Freedom comes on the other side of obedience.**  

*"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."* (John 8:32)