Forgiveness

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? We all know this familiar passage. Peter is asking Jesus, how many times should we forgive a brother and can I say sister, he asked how many times do we forgive the person who has done us wrong. What did Jesus tell him? Let's take a look. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.    70x7. That is a large number. So basically Jesus is telling us, we need to forgive our brethren over and over again. What? I know I can hear it. How can I forgive so and so for raping me? How can I forgive so and so for killing my family or friend? How can I forgive my husband for cheating on me? How can I forgive my wife for sleeping around on me? How can I forgive my parents for abusing me? How can I forgive myself for eating that extra ho ho on my diet? How can I forgive my child for breaking that expensive family heirloom.  How can I forgive God for allowing abortion? How can I forgive.........? How do we? How can we really forgive those trespasses? Those above are all strong issues that some of us have gone through, there are smaller issues out there that also hold back a person. Such as, how can I forgive our local gossip? How can I forgive the person who stole from me? How can I forgive the person for jumping in front of me in line? See what I mean, from the large trespasses to the small trespasses. How do we forgive? Well, do you believe in God? Do you believe the bible to be true?  God tells us, if we hold hate in our heart, we are committing murder against this person.         1 John 3:15  15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:... I know there is another verse, but my feeble tired mind can not find it right now.         Matthew 18:35 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.    Once we accept Christ as our Saviour, God forgives us, each of us. We no longer have to worry about being judged for our sin. If God can do that, why can we not? I mean, I know it and understand it, it is hard to forgive someone who has done harm to you or your family. It is so freeing to forgive, then it is to hold on to the anger. If we have not forgiven the person, then yes we are still angry.  Is it worth it to be angry?  Even when Jesus was on the cross and the people were doing evil things to him, he said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. This man was bloodied and had nails in his hands and feet and in his side, yet he says forgive them..... Forgive them.... Ephesians 4:32  32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Colossians 1:14  14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 3:13  13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. To End this, Sister, if you are not forgiving someone, you are holding hatred in your heart for this person. Really pray on it. Search out God and forgive. It is very sweet not to be angry anymore.