Oftentimes, people get tired too quickly from doing things. The one who gives soon becomes tired of giving and the one who shows kindness soon becomes tired of it. This may be because the people for whom such kindness is being done are not grateful enough.
It truly can be painful when people for whom you labour fail to recognize the effort you put into making sure that they are being taken care of. Some people may indeed take you for granted or constantly frustrate you but you are never to be weary of doing good. Shall we consider the passage of scripture below?
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven". ( Matthew 18:21-22)
One would wonder why Peter asked such a question, isn't it? Scripture gives no information about anything that might have happened before the question was asked. Did someone offend Peter to make him ask such a question? Even if that were to be the case, did the person do something to offend him seven times? We can not answer this and it should not bother us but we should focus rather on his question and Jesus' response.
The thing is this, anyone would be frustrated if someone kept doing something wrong and saying he would change yet refuses to. Perhaps that was the case Peter found himself. He was tired. I would say for him seven times was what he could handle and that to him meant he had done enough to forgive his brother for a record-breaking seven times.
However, Jesus' response made him realize that he still had not done enough. He was 483 times away from the standard which was [(70×7)-7= 490-7=483]. Peter thought forgiving seven times was him doing his best but he had to understand that he needed to continue. Similarly, you may be thinking that you have done enough in forgiving, apologizing, making peace, etc. You need to understand that you do not have to give up. You have not done enough. Keep being kind, keep forgiving, and keep making peace. Seven is not enough, you still have 483 times more and this I believe is even the minimum. The Lord bless his word in your heart. Amen.
Thought for the day: Do not think seven times is enough in forgiving, making peace, showing kindness, and doing good. You may still need to go 483 times more. Jesus said until seventy times seven. You are still only at seven.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, inquiries/testimonies, please call or WhatsApp: 09168301042 or Email: [email protected].
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