In Matthew 18:21-22, we read, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Among some of the rabbis it had come to be understood that a man did not have to forgive his neighbor more than three times. They used Amos 1:3 and 2:6 to support this belief. By asking the question the way Peter did, he was going beyond rabbinical teaching. He increased it to seven times. Seven was seen as the number for completion or perfection. Three was the number for heaven and four was the number of the world. Adding them together gave the idea of union of heaven and earth to the rabbis.
However, Peter’s question still gave the impression that there was a limit to forgiveness. In the Jewish rabbinical mind one was doing something exceptional to forgive. One was foregoing a right when one forgave someone. To put limitation on it meant there was not an eternal right for forgiveness in the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ response demonstrated that God’s mercy and grace is eternal. As long as someone is sorry for what he did and asks for forgiveness, forgiveness should be given. Jesus supported this teaching in Luke 17 when He stated that if a brother trespassed against you seven times in one day, then you should forgive him seven times that day if he repented. I am glad that our God is so forgiving. I know that I will stumble and fall in my spiritual life. I know that no matter how many times it happens, I can repent and ask forgiveness and God will give it to me. He is the God of love.
Study your Bible. Learn all you can from it. Obey God. Make sure you are in the proper relationship with Him so that you can receive forgiveness when you sin. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
