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(Matthew 18:21) "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!"
In this series, we're delving deeper into the teachings that Jesus left us to follow. The seventh commandment leads us to our next focus: FORGIVENESS ...
Jesus places a profound emphasis on forgiveness as a foundational principle of his message. He teaches that forgiving others is not merely a noble or virtuous act but a vital requirement in receiving GOD's forgiveness too! If we truly want this reciprocal relationship to survive and blossom, then letting go of grievances surely underscores the spiritual importance of it all.
In his teachings, Jesus illustrates the boundless nature of forgiveness through vivid parables. One well-known example is where he instructed the Apostle Peter that he would need to forgive "seventy-seven times," symbolising an infinite willingness to forgive. This idea is further reinforced when he advises Peter to be prepared to forgive someone multiple times in a single day if they genuinely repent!
By encouraging such ongoing and generous forgiveness, Jesus encourages his followers to embody the very essence of GOD - His compassion and mercy, reflecting Divine love in their interactions. This approach to forgiveness softly reminds us of its vital role in spiritual life and community harmony.
Society today likes to think of spectrums. Well, if there's a spectrum of forgiveness, then the highest form is surely recognising, as Jesus did on the Cross, that others err out of ignorance and that we should therefore respond with compassion, because forgiving with empathy is undoubtedly the purest and most profound form of forgiveness.
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Let us pray, Heavenly Father, I seek your strength and guidance to truly forgive those who have caused me hurt. Help me release any lingering bitterness and anger, replacing them with compassion and understanding. Fill my heart with empathy, and lead me on a path of healing and peace, restoring harmony and calm within." Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)