"To Forgive or Not to Forgive.."

In Matthew 18:21, 22 we read, "Then Peter came to Him (Jesus) and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." I have posed the question in sermons, "Now, does this mean that you forgive 490 times and then you're done?" Not at all! The number seven, in Eastern symbolism, means "perfect" or "complete." This means that forgiveness is a perfect characteristic (so to speak) for a Christian.

True forgiveness does not come easy for humans. It's easy to say we forgive, but not so easy to let it go...to forget. I was reading an article on the fact that Michael Vick, a great NFL quarterback, is now a free agent, and that his past might haunt him in his search for a job as starting quarterback. He had great success at Virginia Tech, and a great professional career with the Atlanta Falcons and also the Philadelphia Eagles. But then there is another side of Michael Vick which cost him some prison time. He served his sentence and from all reports he has tried to learn from his mistakes. Now I certainly do not know Michael Vick, nor what is the intent of his heart, but it seems that he is trying to keep the momentum of doing good moving forward. But there are those who would forever brand him.

"Brand him." That is a good term. Branding has been something that has been used in the livestock industry, since ancient times, to designate ownership in an animal. The brand, if not tampered with, was a permanent, burned in, mark on the animal.

Are we to be like this? If someone has caused you pain or injury but has seen the error of their way and asked for your forgiveness, will you forgive them and forget it or are they forever "branded" as someone who will hurt you, and someone not to be trusted? Sometimes we get so self righteous that we can see the sins and faults of others but not our own. Romans 10:23, still says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

Forgiveness is not optional for the Christian. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Implicit in this is also that we "let it go!"